Science Lab

Science Lab

Science Lab

The knowledge portal of Leica Microsystems offers scientific research and teaching material on the subjects of microscopy. The content is designed to support 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!

A Guide to Darkfield Microscopes

A darkfield microscope offers a way to view the structures of many types of biological specimens in greater contrast without the need of stains.

A Guide to Phase Contrast

A phase contrast light microscope offers a way to view the structures of many types of biological specimens in greater contrast without the need of stains.

A Guide to Differential Interference Contrast (DIC)

A DIC microscope is a widefield microscopy which has a polarization filter and Wollaston prism between the light source and condenser lens and also between the objective lens and camera sensor or…
Fluorescence microscope image of a life-science specimen

An Introduction to Fluorescence

This article gives an introduction to fluorescence and photoluminescence, which includes phosphorescence, explains the basic theory behind them, and how fluorescence is used for microscopy.
Neurons imaged with DIC contrast.

Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) Microscopy

This article demonstrates how differential interference contrast (DIC) can be actually better than brightfield illumination when using microscopy to image unstained biological specimens.
Staining is crucial to revealing details in the specimens.

H&E Staining in Microscopy

If we consider the role of microscopy in pathologists’ daily routines, we often think of the diagnosis. While microscopes indeed play a crucial role at this stage of the pathology lab workflow, they…
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia

How to Benefit from Digital Cytopathology

If you have thought of digital cytopathology as characterized by the digitization of glass slides, this webinar with Dr. Alessandro Caputo from the University Hospital of Salerno, Italy will broaden…
Laboratory

Factors to Consider when Selecting Clinical Microscopes

What matters if you would like to purchase a clinical microscope? Learn how to arrive at the best buying decision from our Science Lab Article.
H&E stained specimen, 20x magnification

The Time to Diagnosis is Crucial in Clinical Pathology

Abnormalities in tissues and fluids - that’s what pathologists are looking for when they examine specimens under the microscope. What they see and deduce from their findings is highly influential, as…
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