ibidi’s µ-Slides are as Effective as Glass Slides in Live Cell Super-Resolution Microscopy

ibidi GmbH, a supplier of products used for analyzing living cells, is now providing solutions for Super-Resolution Microscopy.

Recent research articles show that ibidi’s µ-Slides, which have a special plastic bottom, are perfectly suited for super-resolution imaging applications based on the novel microscopy method, (d)STORM. ibidi’s standard surface, which forms the bottom of most ibidi µ-Slides and µ-Dishes, is a hydrophilic, foil-like coverslip. When using the µ-Slides with the ibiTreat surface, the bottom is comparable to standard cell culture flasks and Petri dishes, and no further protein coating is required for perfect cell growth. The ibidi plastic bottom can be treated in a way similar to standard plastic laboratory ware, but without compromising the imaging quality. As with glass, this plastic bottom meets all optical requirements for various imaging techniques, such as phase contrast, confocal fluorescence, two-photon microscopy, and also super-resolution microscopy.

New optical microscopy methods, such as STED, SIM, (F)PALM and (d)STORM bypass the diffraction barrier and enable super-resolution imaging or “Nanoscopy” with substantially improved 3D spatial and optical resolution that is close to a near-molecular level. These super-resolution techniques can be applied to biological samples, and can provide new views on the structural organization of cells, as well as the dynamics of biomolecular assemblies on wide timescales.

“ibidi’s µ-Slides allowed us, for the first time, to do live cell super-resolution imaging using dSTORM, without traditional glass coverslips”, explains Prof. Dr. Markus Sauer from the Biotechnology & Biophysics Department of the University of Würzburg, Germany. “I am impressed that the ibidi µ-Slides show results that are as good as those of glass slides. The ibidi plastic bottom is perfectly suited for these advanced localization microscopy methods.”

ibidi’s technology development is continually supported by the BMBF (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung), as part of the research project “Optical Technologies (Biophotonics)“. “Without the intensive support of our research activities, it would not have been possible to provide a user-friendly solution for this new microscopy technique”, explains Dr. Valentin Kahl, CEO at ibidi GmbH.