The Observer Z1 is an inverted microscope from Zeiss allowing brightfield, phase, DIC, and fluorescence microscopy. It is also equipped for live cell imaging experiments. Except the stage the system is fully motorized, and all components are controlled by the ZEN 2012 (blue) software. It is able to run multidimensional experiments including multichannel acquisition, z-stacks, and time-lapse. Since it is an inverted microscope, it is suitable for imaging both live cells and fixed samples. It is equipped with a highly sensitive black&white fluorescence camera.

Objectives:
4x/0.10 Achroplan
10x/0.25 A-Plan, Ph1
20x/0.75 Plan-Apochromat
20x/0.50 EC Plan-Neofluar, Ph2
40x/0.60 LD Plan-Neufluar, Ph2
40x/1.3 Plan-Neofluar, Oil, DIC III
63x/1.4 Plan-Apochr., Oil, DIC III

Lights source:
Halogen lamp HAL 100
Illuminator HXP 120 C

Fluorescence filters:
#49 | Ex 365 | Em 445/50
#10 | Ex 450-490 | Em 515-565
#43 | Ex 550/25 | Em 605/70
#50 | Ex 640/30 | Em 690/50

Camera:
Hamamatsu Orca Flash 4.0
Zeiss Axiocam HRc (color)  CCD

Live Cell Imaging:
Humidifier
CO2 concentration controller
Air flow temperature controller
Chamber heating
Objective heating

The microscope is accessible to authorized persons only. Instrument training is provided upon request and is provided by core facility personnel.

General conditions of equipment usage:

• For operation, it is mandatory to book the Zeiss Imager Z2 in the booking calendar.
• The instrument can be operated only by a single user at a time.
• After the experiment, all slides must be removed from the instrument. If used, oil objectives have to be cleaned with lens paper.
• Users must remove their data from the slidescanner storage within 3 months after the imaging experiment.

Lab rules:

• Access to the microscopy lab is possible with a keycard, which is granted after completed training on one of the microscopes.
• General S1 lab rules apply.

Further details on laboratory rules and instrument usage will be provided in the training sessions.

The software Zen lite for viewing the images can be downloaded from the manufacturer's homepage.