Just one year after the introduction of the new generation of fluorescence microscopes, the Carl Zeiss Microscopy Group is once again launching several new products on the market. On 12 November 2005 at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in Washington (USA), five new laser scanning systems for biomedical research will be presented to the professional world for the very first time.

The major innovation of the new products is their ability not only to image the objects and processes to be examined with excellent quality, but also to deliberately influence the specimens by means of light. The resultant specimen reaction provides researchers with a deeper insight into the causes of disease. Optical specimen manipulation and advanced microscopic observation with one and the same microscope system are now possible for the very first time using the products now to be introduced. The two extensive market launches performed in the space of a single year impressively underline the innovative strength of the Microscopy Group.

On the basis of the award-winning LSM 510 META and LSM 5 LIVE systems and with the broad spectrum of instruments now introduced, Carl Zeiss now offers all laser imaging and analytical techniques required by scientists to examine living cells and dynamic processes - in the form of a single system or as separate units, depending on the respective requirements. Whether cellular functions are to be clearly recognized, tissue structures optimally imaged, fluorescence signals clearly separated, or molecular interactions efficiently analyzed - Carl Zeiss can provide the optimum system solution. Manipulation, observation and evaluation are perfectly synchronized. The system's modular principle guarantees the right configuration for every task.

The LSM 5 DUO, the combination of the LSM 5 LIVE laser scanning microscope optionally with the LSM 510 META or the LSM 510, combines all current high-end confocal microscopy techniques. Extremely complex specimens, such as living cell cultures and fast dynamic processes, can be observed with one and the same microscope with high color resolution and at super fast speed. Flexible specimen manipulation is also possible.

For researchers who concentrate their work on special applications, two further system versions are available: LSM 510 META DuoScan and LSM 5 LIVE DuoScan. Each system combines its respective benefits of spectral resolution, multichannel microscopy or high scanning speed with extensive possibilities of specimen manipulation.

The ConfoCor 3 module for efficient analysis of molecular interactions tops off the offering. In combination with a microscope of the LSM 5 family, it offers the combination of high resolution imaging with sensitive fluctuation analysis required for the examination of mobile molecules or of a single molecule.

A major addition has been made to the functions offered by the LSM 5 PASCAL microscope system. Illumination control via acusto-optical modulators enables experiments formerly only possible with high-end systems to now also be performed with instruments in this class.

With the introduction of these new systems, Carl Zeiss is further emphasizing it global claim to technological leadership in the field of state-of-the-art microscope systems for biomedical research. In the tasks currently being performed in practice, e.g. in cancer research, microscope examinations on living cells and organisms is increasingly playing a decisive role. This also increases the demands being made on the microscope systems used for this purpose.

In the past few weeks staff and dealers from the global Carl Zeiss distribution network have familiarized themselves with the new microscope systems. In lectures by product specialists and users, the representatives from America, Asia and Europe were provided with information about the technical innovations and new application possibilities offered by the new systems. In workshops the systems were tested and practical experience was gathered in order to ensure that customers are provided with the best advice and support possible.