Precision at Scale: Modular Microscopy for Prototyping and Discovery

Automation plays a vital role in today's microscopy landscape. Custom microscope platforms are increasingly prevalent, offering flexible and fully customizable components. These platforms provide OEMs with an efficient and rapid pathway to prototyping, testing, and production, which significantly reduces time to market. They have proven ideal for developing and validating novel optical techniques and imaging automation. The modular design allows users to modify hardware during development, while any software created remains compatible with new designs through a consistent software development kit. This enables parallel hardware and software development without sacrificing functionality in the final product. Many organizations and researchers across diverse specialties have successfully brought market-ready instruments to fruition much faster than traditional methods would allow.

This presentation explores the core technology that enables customized systems to serve as the automated foundation for various black-box instruments. Bush also examines how tailored microscope platforms have contributed to creating unique imaging systems for fundamental research. We'll discuss several case studies highlighting distinctive applications along with their technological implementations and research outcomes. Topics covered include specialized FLIM, laser trapping, super-widefield TIRF, and more.

About the presenter
Simon Bush is product manager at Prior Scientific Instruments Ltd. He completed a master’s degree by research in plant cell biology at Durham University and has spent a decade in the microscopy field in a variety of technical and commercial roles. He has experience of a very broad spectrum of microscopy applications and systems, including high-end life science imaging with super-resolution microscopes, industrial inspection and image analysis with artificial intelligence. At Prior Scientific, he is responsible for overseeing the development of new microscopy automation products, customized microscopes and OEM imaging systems.