Inverted Microscopes

An inverted microscope is designed so the transmitted light source and condenser are positioned above the stage, while the objectives and turret are located below. This setup allows for visualisation from beneath the surface of the sample, which makes it ideal for observing living cell cultures, flasks and large samples that would be difficult to mount on a slide for viewing on an upright microscope.

The main difference between an inverted microscope and an upright microscope is the orientation of the optics and light path in respect to the sample. An upright microscope has transmitted light coming from beneath the stage and to the objective above the sample, where as an inverted microscope has transmitted light coming from above and the objective seated below the sample.

Inverted microscopes are ideal for samples that are better visualised from beneath, examples include live-cell imaging, cell culture observations and examining samples in liquid.

Common applications and fields include:

• Cell biology and molecular biology labs

• IVF and fertility clinics

• Tissue culture and stem cell research

• Microbiology

• Industrial applications

Inverted microscopes can absolutely be used for fluorescence imaging and are commonly used in live-cell fluorescence microscopy.