Nucleus® Microscopy Platform Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nucleus?

The Nucleus microscopy platform provides a complete set of interchangeable hardware modules and software tools, making it ideal for OEMs and lab managers engaged in fluorescence cellular imaging. It allows you to automate the capture of multiple fluorescence channels over large sample areas and stitch the individual images together to form high resolution mosaic images. These images can then be quickly explored, zooming in out out as desired, shared with colleagues and stored for future reference. The platform's modular design makes it easy for integrating into more complex automated systems using Zaber motion control devices. All Zaber devices can be daisy chained through a single USB connection and can be programmed using the same easy to use Zaber Motion Library software.

What is included with my Nucleus microscope? What else do I need?

When building out either your Nucleus inverted microscope or Nucleus upright microscope, you will use an online configurator. Nucleus configurators will guide you to choose parts as well as automatically adds all required parts and mounting hardware so your systems works right out of the box.

Included

The XY-stage, Z focus stage, motorized filter cube turret, camera tube lens and microscope body are the basic modules which are included with every system.

Optional

Epi and transmitted illuminators, a lighting controller, a junction block for an additional port into the infinity corrected space, a Joystick controller, stage inserts for sample mounting, and cameras are optional and can be ordered if required using the configurators. These modules can also be ordered from Zaber individually if you wish to expand your system’s capabilities over time.

While optional, the X-JOY3 joystick controller is highly recommended. It provides simple and intuitive control over sample positioning, focus, filter cube changes and helps make changing objectives even faster.

Not included

Filter cubes and objective lenses are not included and cannot be purchased through the configurator or Zaber webstore. These components must be purchased separately from specialized suppliers. The Nucleus platform uses Zeiss Axio “Push & Click” style filter cubes with tilted emissions filters. Zeiss ICS or Nikon CF160 objectives are supported depending on the microscope’s selected optical system. The MJB25 module does not include a filter or dichroic. These must also be purchased separately.

Filter cubes:

• Chroma P/N: 91029
• Semrock P/N: ZHE

What types of sample can be imaged?

The Nucleus platform supports widefield epifluorescence, brightfield, darkfield and phase contrast imaging of microscope slides, petri dishes, microplates, cell culture flasks, and 50mm and 100mm silicon wafers.

How are samples mounted?

Sample-specific inserts for the XY stage securely hold the desired sample and ensure its planarity and maintain a consistent focus across the full range of stage travel. Stage inserts for one, two or six microplates are available. Custom inserts are available to meet your application specific requirements.

Stage inserts are XY stage model-specific as larger stages can mount larger inserts. The Nucleus configurator tools display the stage inserts which are supported by your selected XY stage.

How do I acquire an image?

Acquiring images uses your camera’s control software. Once the sample has been mounted to a Nucleus microscope, you can use our Zaber Launcher application to control sample position, focus and illumination. To acquire an Image with the Zaber CC01 camera requires the Teledyne Spinnaker SDK.

The basic steps for using camera CC01 in Spinnaker are:

For cameras from other manufactures, the button icons will look different, but the process will be the same.

How do I automate XY, Z, time-resolved and multi-wavelength images?

The new multi-dimensional image acquisition tab in our free Zaber launcher software makes it easy to set up and automate multi-dimensional imaging sequences. Zaber launcher can trigger your camera via IO triggering, but does not support viewing images or adjusting camera settings. μManager is another free tool for automating multidimensional image acquisition. Like the Zaber Launcher, this software coordinates X,Y and Z sample positioning, filter cube selection, illumination channel and brightness control, but it can also adjust camera settings and view output images. Python scripting using the Zaber Motion Library API enables more complex acquisition sequences and integration with 3rd party systems which are not supported by μManager.

Once captured, image stacks can be processed and analyzed using ImageJ.

Nucleus microscopes and Zaber stages are supported by Starlyte Nebula, Inscoper and Visiview third party software. These paid software packages provide more advanced functions than free software. Support is also available with these software packages, unlike μManager which is provided as-is with no support.

Does the Nucleus platform support autofocus?

Hardware autofocus is supported using the HL04 [1] laser autofocus module. Users can precisely control the positioning of the X-LDA025 focus stage using the HL04 hardware AF module or software performing imaging-based focus. The Zaber Motion Library API provides users with the tools required to develop their own application specific solutions as described in the article Autofocus a Microscope using Python. The HL04 also requires the MJB25C-F1 [2] module which provides an additional port into the infinity corrected space and a 20 nm wide notch filter.

Where can I look for more in-depth information?

The Nucleus integrator's guide is a useful resource for anyone wishing to integrate Nucleus modules into a larger system. It puts all the information you need to support your product development in one convenient reference. The guide helps you get the quick answers you need to make most of the Nucleus platform's flexibility and modularity. It covers optical, mechanical, electrical and software integration.

Download the Nucleus Integrators Guide here.