Light Microscopes

A light (or optical) microscope uses a beam of light to observe a sample. Equipped with objectives and eyepieces, it magnifies the image of a small sample — typically ranging in size from 1μm to 1mm (e.g., cells, tissues in microscopic sections 7μm thick). Thanks to its resolving power, a light microscope can distinguish fine details so that they become visible to the human eye. Optical microscopes rarely achieve resolutions below 0.1μm.
We are equipped with a range of bright-field light microscopes, including:

AXIOIMAGER M2 – Carl Zeiss SAS, France

• Objectives:
  - EC Epiplan Neofluar 5x/0.13 ∞/- DIC M27 HD (transmission/reflection)
  - N-Acroplan 10x
  - EC Plan Neofluar 20x
  - EC Plan Neofluar 40x
  - EC Plan Neofluar 63x
• Bright-field / Polarization / EPI cubes
• Encoded XY stage
• Motorized Z focus
• Sony XCD-U100CR camera
• Software: Archimed / Videomet / ImageJ

LEICA DM 750

• Objectives:
  - HiPlan 4x
  - HiPlan 10x
  - HiPlan 20x PH
  - HiPlan 40x
• LEICA camera
• Software: LAS / ImageJ

This microscope is mainly used for versatile laboratory applications and for student training.

ZEISS AXIOPLAN (with camera)

• Objectives:
  - Plan Neofluar 1.25x
  - Plan Neofluar 2.5x
  - Plan Neofluar 5x
  - Plan Neofluar 10x
  - Plan Neofluar 20x
  - UMPlan FI 40x
• Sony XCD-U100CR camera
• Software: Archimed / Videomet / ImageJ

LEICA DMLB (with camera)

• Objectives:
  - Fludtar 100x/1.30 DIL (Type 506084)
  - N Plan 10x/0.25 (Type 506084)
  - Fludtar 40x/1.00–0.50 DIL (Type 506007)
  - N Plan 20x/0.40 (Type 506096)

Light microscopes should not be confused with stereomicroscopes (binoculars), which allow macroscopic observations without sample preparation, at relatively low magnification. Our lab is also equipped with stereomicroscopes connected to a camera and computer for image capture.

WILD MAKROSKOP M420 1.25x

• Macrozoom 1:5 Wild: 6.3x to 32x
• LED ring light 66/40
• AGO light table

These light microscopes are used to acquire data in tissue and cellular anatomy (quantitative anatomy, wood formation monitoring, wall measurements, identifications, etc.) through observation, image capture, and analysis, whether as single images or assembled maps.

The research conducted in our facility focuses on studying structures and properties at the tissue and cellular scales. Main topics and applications include:

• Intra-annual dynamics of wood formation in conifers (Cuny et al., 2012) and tropical species (Morel, H., Mangenet, T., Beauchêne, J., Ruelle, J., Nicolini, E., Heuret, P., & Thibaut, B. (2015). Seasonal variations in phenological traits: leaf shedding and cambial activity in Parkia nitida Miq. and Parkia velutina Benoist (Fabaceae) in tropical rainforest. Trees. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-015-1177-4)
• Structure–function relationships, including the theoretical specific hydraulic conductivity of wood (Noyer, E., Lachenbruch, B., Dlouhá, J., Collet, C., Ruelle, J., Ningre, F., & Fournier, M. (2017). Xylem traits in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) display a large plasticity in response to canopy release. Annals of Forest Science, 74(2), 46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-017-0634-1)

Contact:

• Equipments coordinator: Christophe Rose christophe.rose@inrae.fr 
• Unit coordinator: Julien Ruelle julien.ruelle@inrae.fr