Leica DMI8 Microscope with Solamere Spinning Disc System with 405, 445, 488, 5514, 561, 640 Solamere Lasers. The Leica DMi8 with the spinning disc is a specialized microscope for the highest resolution imaging. The spinning disc decreases the amount of light exposure to samples thereby protecting cells from leaching. Samples of cell, yeast, etc. placed on this microscope experience less light stress than any other available microscopes in the department thus making it an ideal system for live imaging that makes it possible to study cells in real time without causing death to the cell.

This purchase is exempt from the usual selection processes of the Procurement Code because the procurement expenditure is for performing sponsored research and other sponsored activities under grants and contracts funded by the sponsor or by sources other than State appropriations. (30 ILCS 500 / 1-13(b)(8)) The department currently has a non-functioning Zeiss PASCAL microscope that will be traded in to obtain the Leica DMi8. This will allow the department to have live cell imaging capability to perform sponsored research.