2025/02/13 by Manuel Schottdorf, Phil Rich, E. Mika Diamanti +4 · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Neuroscience · #Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques #Cell Image Analysis Techniques #Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
paper · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0318924
openalex publication_date 2025/02/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/03
Many laboratories use two-photon microscopy through commercial suppliers, or homemade designs of considerable complexity. The integrated nature of these systems complicates customization, troubleshooting, and training on the principles of two-photon microscopy. Here, we present "Twinkle": a microscope for Two-photon Imaging in Neuroscience, and Kit for Learning and Education. It is a fully open, high performing and easy-to-set-up microscope that can effectively be used for both education and research. The instrument features a >1 mm field of view, using a modern objective with 3 mm working distance and 2 inch diameter optics combined with GaAsP photomultiplier tubes to maximize the fluorescence signal. We document our experiences using this system as a teaching tool in several two week long workshops, exemplify scientific use cases, and conclude with a broader note on the place of our work in the growing space of open scientific instrumentation.