Launch of the new Evident FluoView FV4000 at Stellenbosch University

Through a unique agreement between Wirsam Scientific and Precision Equipment and Stellenbosch University, the new Fluoview FV4000 confocal laser scanning microscope, is now available to South African scientists to use for their imaging experiments.

The FV4000 confocal microscope, the latest development from Evident Scientific (previously known as Olympus), is equipped with the ultra-low-noise SilVIR™ detector, which offers improved sensitivity, lower noise, and better photon resolving capabilities, resulting in higher-quality imaging, improved quantitative image data in a reduced time compared to previous technology.

The microscope will first be hosted in the Microscopy unit at Stellenbosch University for the next year, where it will be implemented to increase knowhow, access, skills training and knowledge generation for our South African Bioimaging scientists. The agreement between Stellenbosch University and Wirsam Scientific and Precision Equipment is a unique development, as the microscope will not only be available for short demonstrations, as often is the case, but researchers can really delve into the range of capabilities of the microscope and implement it in their research projects while housed at Stellenbosch University. The team from Wirsam Scientific, Evident Life Science and from Stellenbosch University will support researchers on their imaging experiments.

In early September, four training sessions were held, culminating in a launch event—complete with a ribbon-cutting—highlighting the fantastic new features of Evident’s new FV4000 Confocal Microscope. The workshops were presented by Wojciech Brutkowski, High-End Life Science Applications Specialist from Evident Life Science.

We trust that this placement will show-case sustainable high-end equipment management in the South African funding landscape. This is indeed a 'WOW' moment for us and SU and SABI alike, and we are sure that major impact will follow suit.