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Take a closer look at our exciting new Center of Excellence in Graz

Nikon Instruments Europe has partnered with the Medical University of Graz and the University of Graz to open a new Center of Excellence for Superresolution Microscopy: Cells and Organelles. Opening 10th June, the Center of Excellence will be a state-of-the-art facility, enabling bio-medical research across a broad range of disciplines. The center will house Nikon’s latest imaging systems including N-SIM and N-STORM Super Resolution systems and an A1Rsi Confocal System representing cutting edge technology with respect to resolution and imaging speed.

The new Center of Excellence is headed by the directors Wolfgang Graier (Medical University of Graz) and Sepp D. Kohlwein (University of Graz) in the framework of BioTechMed Graz. Both directors commented “To gain resolution and acquisition speed while reducing phototoxicity is the common dream of scientists working with fluorescence microscopes on living specimens. The NIKON-Center of Excellence Graz is an exciting opportunity to join forces with NIKON, one of the worldwide leading microscope manufacturers, which brings in cutting-edge technology to explore and, hopefully, exceed current limitations in fluorescence microscopy applications. With the newest versions of N-STORM, a customized dual-N-SIM/wtFRET microscope and the superfast array scanning A1Rsi the Graz center is equipped with NIKON’s first-class devices with respect to resolution and speed. The implementation of novel microscopy technologies, which will be further developed here in Graz, represents a major boost for the scientific development of the local biomedical research community. The center Graz is embedded in the network of NIKON Excellence centers worldwide, which opens great opportunities for cross-platform exchange with leading scientists in multiple disciplines. We are very grateful to the Austrian Ministry for Science, Research and Economy (bmwfw), which supported the center in the framework of the academic infrastructure program 2014, the strong commitment and support by the Medical University Graz and the Karl-Franzens University Graz and, last but not least, our cooperation partner NIKON for providing outstanding technology and support for our research.”

The center will also act as a training location for Nikon staff, to further enhance their technical and product knowledge, ensuring Nikon customers are given the best customer service possible. Further, Nikon will also be able to offer the center as a demonstration site for customers with needs and interest in advanced optical imaging systems.

Harald Bayer, Manager, and Ingo Ohlenschläger, Product Specialist Bioscience, both Nikon Instruments Austria, explained: “Nikon runs a cluster of centers basically around the world, each specializing in particular research applications or techniques. It is a fantastic opportunity for Nikon to cooperate with the Medical University of Graz and University of Graz. Since the center will also provide feedback to our factory regarding potential technological improvements, continuous further enhancement and development of our systems will be enabled. Additionally, with such a variety of research undertaken at the Universities, Nikon staff will also be able to learn about new emerging applications and science topics and thus will be able to improve and strengthen Know How to provide the perfect imaging solution to our customers.”