{
  "id": 7840026,
  "title": "A custom two-in-one HIST and line-scanning confocal excitation module",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/a-custom-two-in-one-hist-and-line-scanning-confocal-excitation-module",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.14.751507v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fluorescence microscopy applications frequently necessitate specialized instruments tailored to distinct experimental objectives. In this study, researchers introduce a modifiable microscopy module capable of unifying HIST illumination and line-scanning confocal microscopy. The device maintains core components like lasers, scanning optics, and detection hardware, yet employs distinct beam shaping pathways to enable swift and seamless transitions between imaging methods without the need for realignment.\n\nTo assess the module's performance, scientists measured the excitation beam profiles, point spread functions (PSF), and optical transfer functions (OTF) at 40x, 60x, and 100x magnifications. The findings showcase the module's efficacy in executing various imaging applications, including volumetric imaging of both fixed and live cells with diffraction-limited resolution. The researchers demonstrate the device's ability to capture fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, super-resolution DNA-PAINT, and single particle tracking (SPT).\n\nMoreover, the researchers illustrate the capability to conduct multimodal imaging workflows, correlating confocal imaging for chromatin density classification with SPT data of nuclear proteins exhibiting diverse functions. By combining these results, the team reveals a versatile imaging platform that supports complementary fluorescence imaging modalities within a single instrument, providing researchers with a powerful tool for their experimental needs.",
  "summary": "Fluorescence microscopy applications often require specialized instruments that are optimized for different experimental goals. Here, we present a reconfigurable microscopy module that integrates highly inclined swept tile (HIST) illumination for high-sensitivity single-molecule imaging and line-scanning confocal microscopy for rapid and optically sectioned volumetric acquisition. The system…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}