Documentation
Confocal microscopy
Learn all about confocal microscopy and what it can do
What is confocal microscopy?
The confocal microscope scans a laser beam through a sample to excite molecules that are in focus. The molecules then emit photons, which are measured by a detector. A pinhole in front of the detector blocks out-of-focus light and hence improves image quality.
Confocal microscopy offers an improved resolution and signal-to-noise ratio over widefield. The ability to vary the height of the focal plane simultaneously while experimenting is also remarkably useful for 3D reconstruction of larger specimens. This method is more time-consuming than widefield in acquisition and image production and generally higher maintenance, in some cases there is also a tradeoff where some resolution is sacrificed to distinguish different structures in a given sample. Confocal Microscopy is an excellent method of optical imaging often preferred by researchers for applications involving visualization of genetic material or structural components of cells. It enables the assessment of the colocalization of structures and has had large ramifications in studies of the viability of cells.
Confocal microscopy offers an improved resolution and signal-to-noise ratio over widefield. The ability to vary the height of the focal plane simultaneously while experimenting is also remarkably useful for 3D reconstruction of larger specimens. This method is more time-consuming than widefield in acquisition and image production and generally higher maintenance, in some cases there is also a tradeoff where some resolution is sacrificed to distinguish different structures in a given sample. Confocal Microscopy is an excellent method of optical imaging often preferred by researchers for applications involving visualization of genetic material or structural components of cells. It enables the assessment of the colocalization of structures and has had large ramifications in studies of the viability of cells.
Figure 1: Three color confocal image of Cas9 binding to a single DNA molecule tethered between two optically trapped beads. Blue/green/red markers indicate the position of individual Cas9 complexes.
Solutions
C-Trap
Molecular biology as never seen before
The C-Trap® provides the world’s first dynamic single-molecule microscope to allow simultaneous manipulation and visualization of single-molecule interactions in real time.
Technical note:
Filter CA and show 4 Latest
This shows the most recent card of each resource type filtered on Business Unit CA.
Webinar, Scientific update, Whitepaper, Application note, Brochure.
We only show 4 and we have 6 types so the 2 older ones are hidden.
In design only 1 is shown, but the rest will be loaded when published.
Filter CA and show 4 Latest
This shows the most recent card of each resource type filtered on Business Unit CA.
Webinar, Scientific update, Whitepaper, Application note, Brochure.
We only show 4 and we have 6 types so the 2 older ones are hidden.
In design only 1 is shown, but the rest will be loaded when published.
Button Text
.png)
The CAR Immune Synapse Interactome: How Membrane Organization Shapes CAR T–Tumor Cell Interactions
Webinar
September 14, 2026
01-01-20
Unlike conventional drugs, whose activity is shaped by binding to a single target, CAR T-cell (CART) engagement with tumor cells involves multiple receptors, adhesion molecules, and signaling proteins. These components are partially organized within cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains called lipid rafts, forming the CAR immune synapse (CARIS)—the interface through which a CART recognizes, attaches to, and kills a tumor cell.
To evaluate CARIS as a pharmacological interface, we compared CD28- and 4-1BB-CARTs, which exhibit distinct therapeutic profiles. The rapid antitumor activity of CD28-CARTs was associated with brief, dynamic synapses supporting rapid signaling and serial killing. Conversely, 4-1BB-CARTs formed longer, mechanically stable synapses consistent with their slower but sustained activity. Synapse strength was measured using z-Movi acoustic force microscopy.
Lipid rafts were enriched at CARIS. Attenuating membrane lipid raft cholesterol preferentially compromised 4-1BB CARIS mechanical stability, while predominantly impairing CD28 CARIS activation and cytolytic output. The molecular networks underlying these differences were mapped by integrating lipid-raft lipidomics, differential SILAC proteomics to distinguish CART-derived from tumor-derived components, and T-cell transcriptomics.
CD28-associated lipid rafts were enriched in diacylglycerol signaling components, PKCθ, small GTPases, Src-family kinases, and AKT/PI3K-proximal modules, supporting rapid signal-to-function coupling. Stomatin-family and flotillin scaffolds favored dynamic remodeling, while CD8-dominant transcriptional programs supported cytolytic degranulation. Engaged tumor cells displayed membrane-stress signatures consistent with late-stage senescence and apoptotic commitment.
In contrast, 4-1BB-associated lipid rafts were enriched in lysophosphatidic acid, an inhibitory lipid known to suppress CD8 effector functions while promoting integrin-dependent adhesion, consistent with the marked enrichment of integrins at CARIS, NF-κB and cytokine signaling components, and ERM scaffolds that couple lipid rafts to cortical actin, sustaining CARIS stability. Engaged tumor cells exhibited signatures of early apoptotic resistance, including damage-response and repair markers.
Together, these findings establish CARIS as a central determinant of CART function and therapeutic behavior. Mapping and manipulating its lipid–protein networks provide a platform for understanding CART pharmacodynamics and developing strategies to improve therapeutic efficacy.
This is some text inside of a div block.
.jpeg)
Text Link
Enhancing efficacy against clear cell renal cell carcinoma through format-tuning of bispecific T cell engagers
Scientific update
January 29, 2025
01-01-20
This is some text inside of a div block.
Cell Avidity: a key to accelerate IND filing in cell therapy drug development
Whitepaper
July 1, 2023
01-01-20
This is some text inside of a div block.
Accelerate your cell engager discovery with high throughput measurements of Cell Avidity
Application note
June 1, 2023
01-01-20
T cells play a pivotal role in tumor immunosurveillance. Multispecific cell engagers (CEs) have been adopted in the field of immuno-oncology to redirect T cells toward cancer cells, thereby unleashing the anti-tumor potential of the patient’s immune system. CE-mediated cell binding induces T cell activation and the formation of an immunological synapse, which is a prerequisite for effective tumor cell lysis.
The strength of the initial binding events between a T cell and a tumor cell dictates the efficiency of the anti-tumor response. Assessing cell avidity, i.e. the total intercellular interaction strength between two cells, gives crucial insights into the efficacy of CEs as anti-tumor therapeutic agents.
Here, we deploy LUMICKS’ high throughput avidity measurement (HTAM) technology to measure CE-induced cell avidity in a high throughput manner. We demonstrate the assay performance characteristics, i.e. specificity, precision, and range, via CE titration experiments in the context of a Jurkat T cell model system. We find that the HTAM CA assay is suitable for candidate screening in high throughput, with high sensitivity and precision.
This is some text inside of a div block.
Cell Therapy Case Study Collection
Brochure
September 8, 2025
01-01-20
This is some text inside of a div block.
Let’s get in touch
Our team is standing by to help you