Advanced LED Illumination for Optogenetic Stimulation and Microscopy

The pE-300opto combines comprehensive opsin compatibility, fast channel triggering and easy switching between liquid light guide and fibre, for optogenetic stimulation and imaging with accuracy and reliability.

Freedom to use a range of opsins

Three powerful LEDs include blue (470 nm), green-yellow (550 nm) and red (635 nm) – and each can be optimised with inline excitation filters to match most opsins from ChR2 to C1V1 and NpHR. Many more are also compatible. 

With the growing adoption of red-shifted opsins such as ChrimsonR and Jaws, the pE-300opto is designed with future-proofing in mind, enabling researchers to explore new opsins as they emerge.

In addition to optogenetics, the system supports fluorescence imaging with commonly used fluorophores including GFP, YFP, mCherry and Cy5, making it ideal for visualising fluorescently labelled constructs or combined stimulation and imaging experiments.

Run fast, dynamic stimulation sequences

Dynamic, high-speed multi-opsin stimulation is at the heart of the pE-300opto. Each LED can be individually controlled via <10 µs TTL triggering, while inline filters can enable clean spectral separation for multi-opsin protocols. The irradiance of each channel can also be modulated to fine-tune stimulation levels when working with multiple opsins.

For simplified high-speed operation, the Sequence Runner program combines the simplicity of manual control and high-speed TTL. Once an LED and irradiance sequence are specified using the manual control pod, the sequence cycles through automatically – with triggering synchronised via the global TTL input of the pE-300opto and a single TTL output from a camera. This makes it easy to implement high-speed stimulation without the need for additional control hardware.

Switch between ex vivo, in vivo optogenetics and imaging

A liquid light guide output comes as standard, which is ideal for ex vivo or in vitro optogenetics under the microscope, as well as fluorescence imaging from GFP through YFP to Cy5.

For in vivo experiments, an optional adaptor allows a fibre output (either SMA or FC), and the output can be easily swapped in the field. This versatility allows neuroscience researchers to use the same light source across multiple experimental setups – from in vivo fibre stimulation to ex vivo slice work and imaging.