Cellular and Molecular Biology

Investigating the cellular and molecular underpinnings of biological activities (replication, transcription, functionalization, etc.) using (for example) precision microscopy tools such as optical tweezers or fluorescence imaging for both in-vitro and in-vivo specimens.

CLF (Oxfordshire, UK)

The CLF offers access to five unique laser facilities for multi-disciplinary research. VULCAN operates two target areas: a high energy 1 PW capability and a synchronised 100 TW & 2 kJ/ns capability, both with very flexible configurations for research in high energy density science. GEMINI offers a unique synchronised dual beam capability with 0.5 PW beams operating at one shot every 20 seconds, focussing on plasma accelerators and the generation and application of secondary sources. ARTEMIS has three beamlines utilising HHG, at 1 kHz/800 nm/200 eV and 100 kHz/1700 nm/1 keV (due online shortly), with a wide suite of end stations for pump-probe experiments in ultrafast XUV science. ULTRA is an ultrafast pump-probe laser spectroscopy facility, combining laser, detector and sample manipulation technology to probe ultrafast molecular dynamics. OCTOPUS: a suite of imaging and laser trapping capabilities, such as super-resolution (including cryogenic), confocal, and light sheet microscopy, single molecule imaging/tracking, and focused ion beam SEM.

CLL (Coimbra, Portugal)

CLL aims to promote and support the use of lasers in the study of the interactions between radiation and matter at the molecular level. Specialized on photochemical, photophysical and spectroscopic studies, from the infrared through the ultraviolet, covering timescales from femtoseconds at room temperatures to ultra slow processes at cryogenic temperatures.

CUSBO (Milan, Italy)

CUSBO covers a broad range of activities of interdisciplinary nature. Several unique state of the art sources provide few-cycle light pulses, either widely-tunable or of high peak power seeding attosecond beamlines, for pump-probe experiments. Advanced laser workstations mostly based on time-resolved measurements are also applied to non-invasive clinical diagnostics, biological imaging, and non-destructive analysis of food and cultural heritage.

ICFO (Barcelona, Spain)

ICFO aims to advance the very limits of knowledge in Photonics, namely the science and technology of harnessing Light for fundamental physics, chemistry, material science, and applications in biological and medical research. Within ICFO, the SLN lab is equipped with cutting edge microscopy techniques and performs continuous development to provide unique features. The research programs cover a wide range of applications, from super resolution to mesoscopic levels. We collaborate with industry, hospitals and research centres. Our systems are available to all type of end-users. We provide training that can be accommodated to any type of user.

LENS (Florence, Italy)

LENS, the European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, is a center of excellence at the University of Florence. Research interests include photonics, biophysics, chemistry and atomic physics. Three different main research areas (BIOPHOTONICS, PHOTONIC MATERIALS, ATOMIC PHYSICS) and more than twenty research topics, corresponding to active laboratories, are presently running.

LLAMS (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

LLAMS develops new techniques and tools, including ultra-precise spectroscopy, to study the interaction of (laser) light and matter. Looking at systems ranging from atoms and molecules to living cells and tissues, the focus is on advancing understanding of both molecular physics and living systems.

LULI (Coordinator, Palaiseau, France)

LULI operates two multi-beam laser facilities: APOLLON, a Ti:Sapphire shot-per-minute facility offering an exceptional multi-PW peak power, and LULI2000, a highly energetic Nd-glass laser. APOLLON allows exploring high-field physics and generating extreme particle and radiation beams for applications. LULI2000 couples high-energy and high-power laser pulses onto a target together with external high-amplitude pulsed magnetic fields for high-energy-density physics investigation.