CrestOptics, a manufacturer of high-end microscopy solutions and advanced systems for fluorescence microscopy and diagnostic applications, has been recognised as developing one of the ten best microscopy innovations in the 2022 Microscopy Today Innovation Awards, DeepSIM. Launched in October 2021, DeepSIM is a super resolution module developed to enhance the imaging capabilities of high end microscope systems.

Expanding CrestOptics’ established portfolio of flexible, modular high quality imaging products, the DeepSIM module can be used with Crest-Optics’ X-light V3 spinning disk, or as a stand-alone system, to provide super-resolution images for life science researchers. The first super-resolution module to be compatible with any existing upright or inverted microscope with a camera port, DeepSIM is easy-to-use as a confocal microscope, enabling scientists to access deep data from their biological samples. DeepSIM is the first super-resolution module that is compatible with any existing upright or inverted microscope with a camera port. It’s as easy to use as a confocal microscope enabling scientists to access deep data from their biological samples.

Based on a multi-spot structured illumination system, the DeepSIM is a reliable, simple to use and affordable solution to study cellular structures up to an XY resolution of ~100nm. Super-resolved optical sectioning, with Z resolution up to ~ 300nm, can be obtained using both high (60X – 100X) and low magnification (20x – 40x) objectives to expand the range of applications to include complex 3D models such as tissues, organoids, spheroids and small organisms.

The DeepSIM is designed to work with samples of thicknesses comparable to those used in confocal microscopy, giving super-resolved data over 50µm Z in depth in non-clarified samples. This means that more meaningful data can be obtained from native heterogeneous complex samples using routine preparation protocols. DeepSIM enables the study of live-cell dynamics through a temporal resolution greater than 10fps (1024×1024 px FOV), allowing biological changes to be tracked at cellular and subcellular levels. Raino Ceccarelli, Head of Product Development at CrestOptics, commented: “This award is very important recognition for DeepSIM, acknowledging the module as a high quality and respected instrument that researchers can confidently purchase to increase performance of their existing imaging setups. Our customers work within a very specialist field, and we work continuously to expand their imaging and research capabilities by introducing new modules that offer exceptional image quality. The CrestOptics team has worked hard to design and engineer this new module to meet our high standards and stand out above the rest of the market.”