Research, Innovation & Impact

The Thunder Imager Model Organism stereomicroscopy system enables fast and easy 3D exploration of whole model organisms and complex tissue cultures marked with fluorescent reporters. The system utilizes Computational Clearing to remove out-of-focus blur and deliver clear images in real time. At the core of the system is a Leica M205 FA automated stereo microscope with a motorized XY stage that is ideally suited for scanning large areas at high magnification. Acquisition of composite images is facilitated by the Navigator software. The XY scanning stage is also useful for time-lapse experiments or high throughput screening of samples in multiwell plates. The microscope is equipped with 0.63x, 1x and 2x objective lenses enabling magnification up to 320x. Images can be acquired with a highly sensitive high-speed Leica DFC9000 GT 4.2-megapixel sCMOS monochrome camera (pixel size 6.5 x 6.5 µm) or a high-resolution Leica DMC5400 20.5-megapixel CMOS color camera (pixel size 2.4 x 2.4 µm).

Sample illumination options include a LED3 fluorescence light source with white light output of 390-680 nm, an objective-mountable O-ring illuminator with 48 LEDs, a KL2500 LED illuminator with flexible gooseneck light guides and a TL5000 Ergo transmitted light base. Various accessories for glare-free imaging in incident light are available. Samples can be also viewed and imaged in polarized light. A heated glass plate creates a warm transparent surface for working with embryos, organoids and other living specimens.

The following objectives are available for this stereo microscope:

The following fluorescent filter sets are available for this stereo microscope:

Options for sample imaging