Microscopy and Molecular Imaging Unit in GENYO is focused on the application and development of different advanced techniques of confocal laser microscopy, as well as the analysis of the dynamic localization and distribution of molecules of interest in cells or animal models, opening a wide range of new possibilities in addressing dynamic studies of cellular processes. This technology, firstly developed for molecular analysis of tumors, can be applied on a wide variety of tissues, and facilitates the study of the molecular bases of many diseases such as cancer, rare diseases, degenerative diseases, diabetes, and hypertension, among others.

Laser capture microdissection is focused on the observation and separation of unique cells or small cell groups from a heterogeneous tissue in an efficient, rapid and targeted manner, which makes possible the systematic study of the quality and quantity of biomolecules (DNA, RNA, or proteins) in specific cell populations. Also, confocal laser microscopy enables to obtain optical sections of the specimen, which allows the study of 3D images. To that end, the specimen is illuminated point by point with a laser line, and the only light detected is that of the focal plane, then, eliminating the light beams above and below the plane of focus, thus images of high sharpness, contrast and resolution are created. The principle of confocal laser microscopy is based on the elimination of the reflected light or fluorescence from the planes out of focus. It obtained excellent results in several areas such as medicine, biology, or geology, because of its unquestionable advantages compared to the conventional optical microscopy. Light passes through the specimen at different depths, which causes a blurry image due to the light detection coming from areas out of the plane of focus, reducing importantly sharpness, contrast, and image resolution.Ĭonfocal laser microscopy technique became very successful after the development of laser technique.

Opaque specimens are considered if the reflection surface is not completely pulished. Optical microscopy is a technique use to examine specimens mainly transparent.

Microscopia de contraste de fases