To fill a regional need for biomedical research capability, the acquisition of an Asylum Research scanning probe microscope and an Olympus spinning disk confocal imaging unit and their integration with an existing epifluorescence microscope at Clemson University is proposed. This innovative combination will permit simultaneous 3D imaging and mechanoelectrical testing of live biological specimens in the molecular-, cellular-, and tissue-level research Clemson researchers and their collaborators are engaged in. The Asylum MFP-3D uses a cantilever with large-range z-scanner and is suitable for imaging biological-specimen topography and mechanical, electrical, or piezo responses in live cells. The MFP-3D is designed to sit on a stage of an optical microscope; it thus allows simultaneous imaging of fluorescently labeled molecules within cells, which other scanning probe scopes do not. The Olympus DSU will enhance this optical imaging capability by adding 3D imaging. Instead of laser light, which can damage live cells, the DSU¡¦s spinning disc technology with white light captures clear, continuous, optically cross-sectioned images of live cells and tissues, which are immediately constructed into 3D images. The proposed system will deliver extraordinary live-cell data, including images that combine surface topography and internal 3D structure
