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How to Buy Microscopy Equipment & Reagents

SelectScience
9 Dec 2025
Charlie Carter
Life Sciences Editor

This essential microscopy guide provides you with all the information you need to make the right decisions when investing in a microscope. Learn about key factors and application considerations for your imaging needs. Plus, read reviews from your peers to help you buy with confidence.

How to Buy Microscopy Equipment & Reagents

How-to-buy ebook

Choose the best microscopy equipment for your lab

When purchasing microscopy equipment, you must consider several key factors to ensure you choose the right microscope for your lab's specific imaging needs.

In this 11th edition eBook, we present a how-to guide that answers key microscopy questions and outlines the different microscopy approaches, including:

  • Optical or light microscopy techniques such as widefield, confocal, and fluorescence microscopy
  • Electron microscopy techniques such as scanning electron (SEM), transmission electron (TEM), reflection electron (REM), and scanning probe microscopy (SPM)
  • Correlative and multimodal microscopy techniques, and more!

Enhance your imaging with the right reagents and tagging strategies

Selecting the right microscopy equipment is just the first step. Optimizing your imaging requires carefully choosing the appropriate reagents and labeling strategies. Fluorescent dyes, fluorescent proteins, and antibody-based labeling techniques are crucial tools that enable specific visualization of structures or dynamic processes with high precision. This guide also provides insights into various fluorescence tagging methods.

Download this eBook today and discover how to elevate your lab’s microscopy capabilities and make informed purchasing decisions.

Resource details:

  • Document type: SelectScience guide
  • Page count: 24
  • Read time: 36 mins
  • Edition: 11th

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NucSpot Nuclear Stains

Biotium

Cell membrane-impermeant, nuclear-specific counterstains. Suitable for fixed cells or staining dead cells in live cultures. Available in a variety of colors from green to near-infrared (near-IR).

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In Vivo Imaging Systems<i>In vivo</i> imaging systems, including pre-clinical imaging systems and medical imaging systems are used to non-invasively visualize and capture images of live animals and plants. Monitor the natural processes or diseases of your subjects using small-animal pre-clinical imaging systems, including single photon positron emission tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (micro-CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray radiography, ultrasound, fluorescence and bioluminescence imagers. Multimodal systems and software solutions are also available for correlative analysis of organ, tissue, cell, or molecular-level processes. Find the best in vivo imaging products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Light MicroscopyLight microscopes or optical microscopes are used to visualize microscale objects under magnification, including cells, clinical specimens and materials. Lab equipment for light microscopy includes confocal microscopes, fluorescence microscopes, zoom and stereo microscopes. Microscope slides and imaging reagents are available for visualizing samples, as well as various microscope stages and incubators for large or temperature-sensitive samples. Find the best light microscopes in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Electron MicroscopyElectron microscopes (EM) are used to create high-resolution images of samples at the nanoscale by means of an accelerated beam of electrons as a source of illumination. Types of electron microscope include scanning electron microscopes (SEM), transmission electron microscopes (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopes (STEM) and cryo-electron microscopes. Focused ion beam (FIB) microscopes are useful for modifying or milling a sample surface with nanometer precision, as well as imaging. Find the best electron microscopes in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Fluorescence SpectroscopyFluorometers and spectrofluorometers (also called fluorescence spectrometers) are used to measure the intensity and wavelength of fluorescent light emitted from a sample after excitation by illumination. Spectrofluorometers utilize monochromators to select the desired wavelengths, whereas filter fluorometers employ a set of filters. Spectrofluorometers for measuring steady-state fluorescence and lifetime fluorescence (or time-resolved fluorescence) are available, as well as fluorescence microscopes and microplate readers. Find the best fluorescence spectroscopy products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Atomic Force Microscopy / Scanning Tunneling MicroscopyAtomic force microscopes (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopes (STM) are high-resolution forms of scanning probe microscope (SPM) used to generate topological information of a sample down to the atomic scale. Instruments can generate an image of the surface topology, manipulate objects and reveal information on localized properties such as Young’s modulus, conductivity, and magnetism. High-quality STM and AFM probes optimized for your application are available, as well as other SPM-based instruments such as scanning ion conductance microscopes (SICM) & near-field scanning optical microscopes (NSOM). Find the best AFM and STM equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Digital MicroscopyDigital microscopy involves using digital cameras and sensors to capture high-resolution images of samples for analysis. It offers enhanced imaging capabilities compared to traditional optical microscopy and is widely used in biological and material science research. Explore digital microscopy systems in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.MicroscopyMicroscopy is a technique used to observe small objects in detail, from cells to materials, using light or electron microscopes. It enables researchers to examine structures with high resolution, aiding in fields such as biology, medicine, and materials science. With advanced microscopy techniques, scientists can gain insights into cellular processes, tissue structures, and material properties. Explore the best microscopy solutions in our peer-reviewed product directory, compare products, read customer reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Super Resolution MicroscopyCorrelative MicroscopyNeuroscienceNeuroscience research investigates the neurological mechanisms underlying behavior, neurodegenerative diseases, and other brain conditions. Learn about the innovative technologies for bioimaging, electrophysiology, cell culture, chromatography and other techniques used in this field.Confocal MicroscopySecondary AntibodiesSpatial Biology

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