Science Lab

Learn. Share. Contribute. The knowledge portal of Leica Microsystems. Find scientific research and teaching material on the subject of microscopy. The portal supports beginners, experienced practitioners and scientists alike in their everyday work and experiments. Explore interactive tutorials and application notes, discover the basics of microscopy as well as high-end technologies. Become part of the Science Lab community and share your expertise.

Fluorescence microscopy image on the left with no distinction between the fluorescent signal and background autofluorescence. FLIM was used in the image on the right to differentiate autofluorescence in chloroplasts (blue) from the desired fluorescent signal from the cell membrane (green).

Learn how to Remove Autofluorescence from your Confocal Images

Autofluorescence can significantly reduce what you can see in a confocal experiment. This article explores causes of autofluorescence as well as different ways to remove it, from simple media fixes to…

GLOW800 Augmented Reality Fluorescence in Aneurysm Treatment

This case study from Prof. Dr. Feres Chaddad talks about the treatment of unruptured MCA (middle cerebral artery) and PCOM (posterior communicating artery) aneurysms with microsurgical clipping. It…

Polarizing Microscope Image Gallery

Polarized light microscopy (also known as polarizing microscopy) is an important method used in different fields, including research and quality assurance. It goes beyond just producing images at high…

Metallography – an Introduction

This article gives an overview of metallography and metallic alloy characterization. Different microscopy techniques are used to study the alloy microstructure, i.e., microscale structure of grains,…

Principles of Multiphoton Microscopy for Deep Tissue Imaging

This tutorial explains the principles of multiphoton microscopy for deep tissue imaging. Multiphoton microscopy uses excitation wavelengths in the infrared taking advantage of the reduced scattering…

Stimulated Raman Scattering Microscopy Probes Neurodegenerative Disease

Despite decades of research, the molecular mechanisms underlying some of the most severe neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, remain poorly understood. The progression of…

Brief Introduction to Surface Metrology

This report briefly discusses several important metrology techniques and standard definitions commonly used to assess the topography of surfaces, also known as surface texture or surface finish. With…

Studying the Microstructure of Natural Polymers in Fine Detail

The potential of cryogenic broad ion beam milling used in combination with scanning electron microscopy (cryo-BIB-SEM) for imaging and analyzing the microstructure of cryogenically stabilized soft…

Introduction to Ultramicrotomy

When studying samples, to visualize their fine structure with nanometer scale resolution, most often electron microscopy is used. There are 2 types: scanning electron microscopy (SEM) which images the…