The startup develops a modular light sheet illumination system that enhances high-resolution imaging on modern inverted microscopes, compatible with high numerical aperture objectives. This technology minimizes photobleaching, enabling prolonged imaging of living cells for more accurate research outcomes.
Funding
$810K raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Conventional light sheet microscopy can suffer from steric interference between illumination and detection objectives, limiting compatibility with high numerical aperture (NA) objectives. This can restrict resolution and the ability to image deep within samples. Additionally, imperfections or debris in the sample can cause striping artifacts in the resulting images.
Solution
Mizar Imaging offers the Tilt and Tilt-RM light sheet illumination systems, designed to enhance high-resolution imaging on inverted microscopes while minimizing photobleaching and phototoxicity. The Tilt system utilizes Lateral Interference Tilted Excitation (LITE) microscopy to eliminate steric interference, enabling compatibility with high NA objectives and improving image quality. The Tilt-RM model incorporates a resonance scanning mirror to continually raster the incoming light sheet, significantly reducing striping artifacts inherent in light sheet imaging. Both systems are modular, easily adapting to existing inverted microscopes without interfering with other imaging modalities like DIC, spinning disk confocal, or TIRF.
Target Audience
The primary customers are researchers in cell biology, developmental biology, and related fields who require high-resolution, low-phototoxicity imaging of living samples, as well as facilities seeking to add light sheet capabilities to existing microscope setups.
Features
- Modular design allows easy integration with most inverted microscopes
- LITE microscopy eliminates steric interference for compatibility with high NA objectives (1.4 and greater)
- Minimal photobleaching and phototoxicity, ideal for long-term live-cell imaging
- Tilt-RM model incorporates a resonance scanning mirror to reduce striping artifacts
- Compatible with a wide range of sample types, including photosensitive cells and tissues, developing organisms, and plants
- Does not interfere with transmitted light and other modes of illumination
- Accepts any single-mode laser and is compatible with any camera and most imaging software packages
- Optional temperature control via custom chamber
- XY stage with encoded stepper motor and 25 mm x 50 mm travel range
- Piezo Z stage with 300-micron travel range