The 48th annual Society for Neuroscience Conference took place November 3–7 in San Diego, California. Attendance was 28,691, including 22,726 scientific participants. A total of 539 companies exhibited.

While most exhibitors were associated with neuroscience tools, such as fluorescence and confocal microscopy or antibodies, a number of life science companies also had booths, reflecting the prevalence of cell research and even genomics in neuroscience. Such companies included 10x Genomics, Bio-Rad Laboratories and Illumina.

All major confocal microscopy companies had large booths at the show, as well as companies expanding their presence in emerging market segments, such as super-resolution microscopy and optogenetics. Among the companies exhibiting that are expanding their super-resolution offering through acquisitions were Bruker (see IBO 5/15/17) and Miltenyi Biotec (see IBO 10/31/18).

In fact, Bruker launched two new systems at the show. A result of its purchase of Luxendo Bioscience, the new Luxendo MuVi SPIM CS light-sheet fluorescence microscope expands the Luxendo MuVi SPIM product line with the ability to image clear tissues in 3D. A modular system, the same instrument can be used to image living samples and cleared tissue samples. Other new features are improved optics, including two Nikon 10x 0.3 NA air objective lenses, and a choice larger sample chambers, including one that can accommodate a whole mouse brain.

Bruker’s new Ultima 2Pplus wide-field, multiphoton microscope replaces the Ultima 2P, initially introduced 15 years ago. The new system features enhanced detection for a larger field of view. Capable of 1-photon imaging of up to 500 µm depths and 2-photon imaging down to 1 mm, the system is also future-proofed for 3-photon imaging. As Bruker explained, laser manufacturers are currently developing laser technology to enable turnkey 3-photon systems.

Also, with a focus on accommodating larger animal models, such as mice and hamsters, Leica Microsystems displayed the SP8 DIVEB (Deep In Vivo Explorer) for multicolor, multiphoton imaging, a new iteration of the SP8 DIVE system featuring a larger sample chamber. The new systems enable behavioral studies. Leica Microsystem’s product launches also included the Thunder imagers for wide field imaging, specifically designed for improved resolution of thick specimens. The platform works by removing autofocus light so that only the desired signal is acquired. Applications include 3D cell culture and 3D live cells, tissues and model organisms.

The role of software for high-resolution microscopy was evident from ZEISS’ recently announced expansion of its partnership with arivis. arivis provides software platforms for life sciences in the form of dedicated and proprietary software modules and bundled products. The partnership with ZEISS includes further cooperation in 3D/4D image visualization and analysis. As arivis, which was represented at ZEISS’ booth, told IBO, its platform’s processing power is not limited by the size of the data file due to the image core technology. Automatic file conversion is possible while the microscope is still recording large 4D images. arivis software recognizes, classifies and segments data, allowing processing of specific sample areas or the complete data set even on affordable computer systems.

This month, ZEISS announced the integration of its Airyscan confocal imaging microscope with Inscopix’s miniature microscope system. The ability to integrate Airyscan’s coregistration of subcellular and structural details with Inscopix’s functional neural network activity provides insights into brain function and dysfunction.

At the show, Inscopix exhibited its miniature microscope platform, specifically designed to study large-scale brain activity at cellular resolution in freely moving animals. More than 50 scientific presentations using Inscopix technology were showcased at the SfN meeting. By mounting the microscope on a mouse’s head, brain cell activity is imaged directly through a lens implanted in the brain and can record hundreds to thousands of cells at a time. Inscopix told IBO that the system allows researchers to ask new questions about the function of brain circuits involved in specific behaviors, such as motor planning and cognition.

Although companies known for general lab equipment were not as prevalent at the show, Eppendorf and Sartorius each exhibited. Eppendorf displayed its new CellXpert C170i CO2 incubator. The system, along with the more basic C170 model, is the company’s first new incubator since the Galaxy CO2 incubators from New Brunswick Scientific, which Eppendorf acquired in 2007, and is the first such product carrying the Eppendorf brand.The system includes onboard data and event logging, facilitating regulatory compliance. Other field-upgradable options include the ability to change the door handle to the opposite side and optional humidity and water-level sensors. The Cell Xpert also connects to Eppendorf’s VisionNize system, which is designed for centralized monitoring of multiple Eppendorf products. The list price is $9,085.

BioTechne also exhibited at the show, displaying Jess, its latest automated Western blot system, introduced this summer. In contrast to the company’s Wes instrument, Jess expands beyond chemiluminescence detection to include NIR and IR detection, keeping high sensitivity for multichannel, multiplexed analyses. Multiple detection modes can replace the use of two instruments as well as serve users in the same lab with different requirements. An example of the multiplexing capabilities include the measurement of multiple targets simultaneously in one lane instead of two lanes to compare band intensities and protein isoforms. Results are available in 3 hours, or 4 hours for protein normalization.

Next year’s SfN conference will be held October 19–23 in Chicago, Illinois.