A.V.Luikov Heat and Mass Transfer Institute offers consumers a research complex for the analysis of biological cells in vitro by optical, fluorescent and atomic force microscopy under a commercial agreement with technical assistance.

The research complex is intended for registration of optical, fluorescent and AFM images of biological objects at the micro- and nanolevel, for evaluation of local elasticity and adhesion ability of cells. The complex can be used to study micro- and nanoscale objects and analyze the surface of polymeric and composite materials.

The complex includes:
- modular scanning atomic force microscope (SAM, combined with a fluorescent optical microscope);
-specialized software for AFM (SurfaceScan Microtestmachines) and fluorescence microscopy (Microvisible ver. 6.3.1 MICROS);
-system for ensuring the vital activity of cells (temperature control of the sample with the maintenance of a given composition of the gaseous atmosphere).

Basic techniques of AFM and fluorescence microscopy:
-contact static atomic force microscopy;
-lateral force microscopy;
-semi-contact dynamic atomic force microscopy;
-phase contrast microscopy and fluorescence microscopy;
-support for TIRFM-, STED-, RESOLFT-, PALM- fluorescence microscopy techniques.

It is possible to use standard culture dishes - Petri dishes with a diameter of 25 mm (bottom thickness up to 1 mm) and standard glass slides. ACM uses a specialized chip holder with the ability to quick change of pre-installed cantilever chips with a standard size of 1.6x3.4x0.3 mm. It is possible to install a chip holder according to customer requirements (isolated holder, fiber optic illuminator, fiber optic spectrometer, etc.).

Main technical characteristics of the complex:
-optical magnification up to 300X;
-resolution in the AFM mode 2-10 nm;
-scanning area in the AFM mode 100×100 µm;
-temperature in the working area of ​​the sample 24-27°С±0.5°С;
-time of continuous operation with temperature control of the sample up to 170 hours.

Optical magnification is determined by the type and configuration of the fluorescent microscope used. Type, brand and complete set of a fluorescent microscope can be changed according to the customer's request. In the basic configuration, an inverted microscope MICROS Sundew MCXI600 is installed.

The Institute offers its partners, under a commercial agreement with technical support, the acquisition of a research complex for the analysis of biological cells in vitro by optical, fluorescence and atomic force microscopy, the development of technical tools and methods for examining samples at the request of the customer.

The advantages of the complex are:
-open architecture;
-modular structure;
-use of cooled CCD receivers for registration of fluorescent images;
-use of standard protocols and probes;
- control of CO2 concentration and sample temperature in the working volume.

The research complex has been developed and is used in medical and biological research. Design documentation for the units of the installation.

Consumers interested in purchasing a research complex for the analysis of biological cells in vitro by optical, fluorescence and atomic force microscopy under a commercial agreement with technical assistance.