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Principles and practices of laser scanning confocal microscopy

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Abstract

The laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) is an essential tool for many biomedical imaging applications at the level of the light microscope. The basic principles of confocal microscopy and the evolution of the LSCM into today’s sophisticated instruments are outlined. The major imaging modes of the LSCM are introduced including single optical sections, multiple wavelength images, three-dimensional reconstructions, and living cell and tissue sequences. Practical aspects of specimen preparation, image collection, and image presentation are included along with a primer on troubleshooting the LSCM for the novice.

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  1. Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin, 1525 Linden Drive, 53706, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    Stephen W. Paddock

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Correspondence to Stephen W. Paddock.

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Paddock, S.W. Principles and practices of laser scanning confocal microscopy. Mol Biotechnol 16, 127–149 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1385/MB:16:2:127

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