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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.
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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.
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Identification of potent biparatopic antibodies targeting FGF receptors in solid tumours
Webinar
May 23, 2025
01-01-20
Translocations involving FGFR2 gene fusions are common in cholangiocarcinoma and gastric carcinoma and predict response to FGFR kinase inhibitors. However, response rates and durability are limited due to the emergence of resistance, typically involving FGFR2 kinase domain mutations, and to sub-optimal dosing, relating to adverse drug effects.
This webcast will present new work showing that the vast majority of such alterations retain the extracellular domain (ECD), potentially enabling highly selective targeting of the FGFR2 ECD using biotherapeutics.
To improve on the activity of traditional bivalent monotopic antibodies, the Sellers lab systematically generated biparatopic antibodies targeting distinct epitope pairs in FGFR2 ECD, and identified antibodies that effectively block signaling and malignant growth driven by FGFR2-fusions.
These antibodies robustly blocked proliferation and colony formation in FGFR2-fusion driven cholangiocarcinoma and demonstrated robust in vivo anti-tumour activity. In vivo activity was marked by significant antibody-mediated downregulation of FGFR2 and in turn this was associated with robust lysosomal internalization enacted by the two biparatopics. In vitro, the biparatopic antibodies demonstrated activity against FGFR inhibitor resistant alleles of FGFR2. The internalization properties of the antibodies also make them suitable for exploration as antibody-drug conjugates
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Enhancing efficacy against clear cell renal cell carcinoma through format-tuning of bispecific T cell engagers
Scientific update
January 29, 2025
01-01-20
Cell Avidity: a key to accelerate IND filing in cell therapy drug development
Whitepaper
July 1, 2023
01-01-20
Cell Avidity measures true binding of biparatopic antibodies
Application note
April 23, 2025
01-01-20
Mechanistic issues limit the effectiveness of many current cancer-targeting antibody therapies, with monospecific antibodies often hindered by receptor dimerization and activation. Biparatopic antibodies, which bind to two unique non-overlapping epitopes, offer a promising solution with stronger binding, more potent antagonism, and higher specificity.
Avidigo Service Brochure
Brochure
May 1, 2025
01-01-20
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