University Bielefeld unveils Lightweaver super‑resolution microscope

Researchers at the University of Bielefeld have developed a new microscopy system called Lightweaver. The prototype achieves resolution below the diffraction limit of light by projecting structured illumination patterns and combining multiple shifted images, delivering roughly a two‑fold increase in resolution while providing a field of view up to ten times larger than conventional super‑resolution microscopes. The compact instrument, about the size of a microwave, is designed for biomedical, pharmaceutical and basic‑science studies that require live‑cell imaging at the sub‑cellular level.

The project is led by Dr. Henning Ortkraß and Dr. Marcel Müller, with scientific assistant Janina Niemeyer and a seven‑person team handling optics, mechanics and electronics. After further testing the team aims to move from a demonstrator to a production prototype for routine laboratory use.