Robust MINFLUX microscope for improved system stability and accessibility

MINFLUX super-resolution microscopy provides a 3D spatial resolution down to 2 nm combined with millisecond temporal resolution in living cells.

MINFLUX has the potential of revolutionizing structural cell biology by measuring dynamic functional changes of protein machines.

Currently, however, access to MINFLUX is very limited because the implementation of custom-built MINFLUX microscopes is complex, and commercial systems are very expensive.

The objective of this proposal is to develop a MINFLUX system with simplified optical scanning systems, which makes the system robust, affordable, and easier to build, to provide increased accessibility to a wider range of researchers.

To this end, we aim to replace the 3D scanning systems with a combination of spatial light modulators and fast switching of multiple optical fibers, without compromising its imaging speed and achievable resolution.

We will demonstrate the performance of the new MINFLUX system on biological systems to showcase the system capability.The research will take place at the group of Dr.

Jonas Ries at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, a leading group in developing new approaches in single molecule localization microscopy and application in biology.

This highly interdisciplinary project will strengthen my expertise in advanced optics, software programming, electronics, and biology.

It will have an important impact in the field of structural cell biology by enabling direct measurements of dynamic structural and functional changes of protein machines in living cells.

This fellowship will establish me as a recognized researcher in the field and will be the optimal basis to start my own research group.