Inverted Fluorescence Microscope: Overview, Features, and Applications

Different from an upright microscope, an inverted fluorescence microscope comes with a tip of the objective pointing upward, allowing one to see the specimen from below. It is an ideal instrument for high-quality fluorescence imaging. The microscope type can be attached with an external camera to take pictures and work on them.

Since the first microscope invented in 1850, it has become easier and quicker to observe living cells or organisms. In the 21st-century, inverted microscopy is an extremely popular technique for imaging live cells through the bottom of a cell culture vessel. This technique offers more advantages than upright microscopy.

How Does Inverted Fluorescence Microscope Work

Naturally, cells sink to a vessel’s bottom. In case of a vessel suitable for inverted microscopy, cells have a larger medium to spread, which makes it easy to observe them. Also, the technique allows sampling from the top.   

An inverted fluorescence microscope works on the principle of imaging where a source of transmitted light and the condenser go on the top of the stage. Here, the objectives are placed below the stage. The cells to be observed are imaged through the cell vessel. While carrying out the process, it is essential to ensure that the vessel’s bottom has the highest optical features.

Applications of Inverted Fluorescence Microscope

The microscope is a great solution for simple and high-quality fluorescence imaging. It can be paired with a range of accessories to extend the instrument’s usability. 

In the field of biology, inverted microscopes are used to observe living cells and organisms through the bottom of a container under natural conditions. It overcomes all the limitations of upright microscopes, such as longer working distance. An upright microscope doesn’t allow the objective use with a high numerical aperture on the coverslip bottom. An inverted fluorescence microscope overcomes this limitation while offering a shorter working distance.

Features of Inverted Fluorescence Microscope

A modern microscope can be used with a lamp fluorescence illuminator, many filters, and different objective lenses to get sharp, high-quality images. When you get a quality, technically-rich inverted microscope, you can expect a lot of features, such as:

• A wide-field eyepiece for sharp images and wide view

• Multiple objective lenses for reliable outcomes

• Comfortable viewing

• Phase contrast accessories for phase contrast imaging

• Multiple petri dish holders for imaging living cells

• Long working distance, which enables observation in containers like beakers

• Easy-to-adjust brightness of light sources

How to Buy an Inverted Fluorescence Microscope 

The inverted fluorescence microscope comes in many types today. They can be differentiated from each other in terms of illumination, objective lens, focusing mechanism, and other features. For example, there are microscopes with a 6V/30W halogen lamp as a transmitted illuminator, and microscopes having a 3W white LED as a transmitted Illuminator.

While buying an inverted microscope, consider your requirements and match them with the instrument. If you want a quality microscope system, explore a range at KEWLAB and get revolutionary products online!