Bruker launches two-photon miniscope for freely behaving animal imaging

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Key Takeaways

The nVista 2P is a 2-gram, two-photon microscope providing high-resolution, 3D imaging of brain activity in freely behaving animals.
It offers single-cell resolution imaging at depths up to 300 microns, suitable for complex brain regions like the entorhinal cortex.
The device enhances research in spatial memory and neurotransmitter signaling, integrating seamlessly with existing Inscopix systems.
This innovation complements Bruker's benchtop multiphoton technology, advancing functional brain imaging capabilities.

Self-contained microscope system delivers single-cell resolution imaging at depths of up to 300 microns—deep enough to reach densely labeled brain regions like the entorhinal cortex and hypothalamus

nVista2P mini microscope: ©Bruker

Bruker Corp. (Nasdaq: BRKR) unveiled the nVista 2P, a miniature two-photon microscope designed to provide researchers with high-resolution, three-dimensional images of brain activity in freely behaving animals. The new device, part of the Inscopix product line, represents a significant advance in the field of functional brain imaging.

Weighing just 2 grams, the nVista 2P is a self-contained microscope system that delivers single-cell resolution imaging at depths of up to 300 microns—deep enough to reach densely labeled brain regions like the entorhinal cortex and hypothalamus. Its advanced design enables sub-cellular resolution, 3D data reconstruction, and compatibility with both shallow and deep GRIN lens and cranial window preparations.

“The 2P miniscope’s lightweight, compact, and adaptable design, paired with its thoughtfully crafted, intuitive interface, ensures exceptional ease of use,” said Mostafizur Rahman, a postdoctoral fellow at the Dulac Lab at Harvard University. “It significantly advances our ability to address compelling scientific questions.”

The new device builds on the success of Inscopix’s one-photon (1P) miniscope systems, offering a seamless upgrade path for labs already using those tools. Researchers studying processes such as spatial memory and neurotransmitter signaling now have access to clearer and deeper insights thanks to two-photon fluorescence microscopy technology.

Kunal Ghosh, Ph.D., CEO at Inscopix, described the launch as “a major step forward in free-roaming miniscope innovation that complements Bruker’s industry-leading benchtop Ultima multiphoton microscope technology.” He added, “The unique ability of this new system to acquire high-resolution brain data in three dimensions, and its seamless integration with our exclusive sample preparation-to-results workflows, make it an ideal tool for researchers studying neuronal circuits in freely behaving animals.”