15.02.2010

Fluorescence Microscope for High Sensitivity

For the three „global killer diseases", HIV/ AIDS, TB and Malaria, fast and reliable diagnosis is crucial for modern laboratory practices. In resource-limited settings, for example, TB is diagnosed by using sputum smears with microscopy for which fluorescence based microscopic techniques have shown to be much more sensitive than transmitted light microscopy, where M. tuberculosis bacilli in a significant number of cases are not seen. more17.12.2009

Correlative Microscopy for Material Analysis

Austempered Ductile Iron (ADI) excels through strength, wear resistance and toughness - characteristics that make ADI the material of choice for use in combustion engines and gear box components. This means that safety aspects are also involved in addition to purely functional aspects. For this reason, changes in the ADI production process need to be monitored with respect to the material´s characteristics and must be optimized systematically. For the micro- and nanoscopic analysis of the structure and precipitations, scientists typically use both light and electron microscopes. more12.12.2009

TIRF

Changes in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) accompany many diverse biological phenomena from neuronal excitability and muscle contraction to activation of transcription and cell death. more24.11.2009

Surface Plasmon Enhanced TIRF Imaging

Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy (TIRFM) is a powerful technique for imaging dynamic membrane events in living cells. However the information gained from TIRFM may be limited by the intensity of the florescence signal and by background noise emanating from the inner part of the cell. Here we describe how Surface Plasmon Mediated Fluorescence Microscopy (SPMFM) can enhance TIRFM by increasing the fluorescence signal 5-6 fold and by reducing background noise dramatically. more03.11.2009

Analytical Power for the Sub-Nanometer World

In recent years there has been an ongoing trend to design specialized scanning electron microscopes, dedicated to specific applications. As a result two different system configurations in the SEM market have emerged: One configuration is dedicated to deliver high resolution imaging. The other configuration is dedicated to optimized analytical performance. However, these two diverging development lines force users to decide whether they will limit their research to high resolution imaging or optimized analytical investigations. more03.11.2009

Quantify Life!

Leica Microsystems has launched a new platform for biophysical measurements. The Leica TCS SMD Series is based on a Leica TCS SP5 true confocal spectral microscope with specific SMD (Single Molecule Detection) hardware and data acquisition and analysis software (SymPhoTime, by PicoQuant). The platform offers the necessary equipment for Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy or Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging methods. A combination of FCS and FLIM that introduces new methods with the FLCS technology (Fluorescence Lifetime Correlation Spectroscopy) is additionally available. more03.11.2009

A Confocal Raman Imaging Study on Emulsions

In the life sciences and bio-medical research, in the food as well pharmaceutical industry the development of characteristic emulsions and suspensions with distinctive features play an important role. As the microstructure of such mixtures strongly determines the properties of final products, powerful analytical tools are required for studying the distribution of the various compounds. more03.11.2009

Optical Metrology Made Easy

Surface metrology is quickly emerging as a critical analytical technique to determine the topology of various materials. It can be used to identify corrosion, surface characterization, or to control the quality of different surfaces. Conventional methods such as profilometry, have involved the use of a stylus being dragged along the sample surface. However, this technique can be problematic; it cannot be used on certain materials, such as adhesives, and the dragging process itself may result in inaccurate data being obtained. more