Designing a low-cost confocal microscope with super-resolution capability and enhanced speed and efficiency

Confocal microscopy offers high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging, becoming an essential tool in various scientific fields, including cell biology, neuroscience, developmental biology, plant biology, pathology, and materials science. One advantage of confocal microscopy over other imaging modalities is its capability to produce optically sectioned images thanks to the point-based illumination and detection configuration. Despite the transformative potential of confocal microscopes, their high cost (>$100K) significantly limits their accessibility, restricting their use to well-funded institutions. This work addresses the unmet need in biological imaging infrastructure for designing a low-cost confocal microscope with super-resolution capability and rapid acquisition time using off-the-shelf components.