Oct. 12, 2009

11MPixel Cooled Pixel at 14bit Dynamic

The cooled CCD camera system pco.4000 has excellent qualities for life science applications. The resolution of 4008x2672pixel can replace a lot of images at high magnification from a microscope by one image at lower magnification and therefore extending the lifetime of the bio markers. Due to its 36x24mm image sensor format the camera can be hooked with its Nikon-F-Mount to many microscopes. Because of its cooled 14bit performance it is absolutely suited for low light applications. moreOct. 12, 2009

The Best of Both Worlds

The Olympus FV1000 is the most flexible confocal system available, with features including the unique SIM scanner and superb UIS2 optics. The addition of an advanced TIRFM module allows researchers to significantly enhance the imaging capacity of their system. As well as standard and confocal laser scanning fluorescence image acquisition, the TIRFM module enables evanescent illumination for CCD-based thin surface layer observation. It also provides higher z-resolution than established light microscopy techniques. moreOct. 12, 2009

NanoZoomer

The NDP System can accept up to 210 standard microscope slides at once. The standard resolution is better than 0.5 µm per pixel, yielding slide images with approx. 2 gigapixels. The scanning time is about three minutes per slide. Large volume image data are stored in a local database. When viewing images over the network, interactive zoom & pan are available and only the viewed portion of the image is transferred over network, thus preserving network bandwidth and speed. moreOct. 12, 2009

Independent of Time

While digitization in microscopy has made enormous advances over the past years, it has run into some difficulties of late. One problem was not being able to capture an image area at multiple magnification levels. This meant that an overview of the entire slide with detailed views at high resolution was simply not possible. The system is used with an Olympus BX51 microscope, known for its excellent optical performance and optimal resolution. Numerous motorized components and the unique modular and ergonomic design ensure maximum efficiency. moreOct. 12, 2009

Bench-top Spectrofluorometer

Horiba Jobin Yvon introduced the bench-top spectrofluorometer Fluoromax-4-TCSPC. It features a sensitivity of at least 400,000 cps for the water-Raman peak at 397 nm, and a signal-to-noise ratio of 3000:1 minimum, and it can produce lifetime data. Fluorescence measurements are particularly easy, it has a wide range of accessories, and the new FluorEssence software for Windows. Suited for basic research, analytic measurements, and quality control, the system uses an ozone-free xenon arc lamp for broadband coverage from the UV to near-IR (up to 1.0 um with the 2658 option). moreOct. 12, 2009

3D Upgrade for Optical Microscopes

In conventional microscopic images of materials and life cells, only object intensity and color are imaged. However, the phase of the light beam bears information about the 3D structure of the object with which the light interacted. The Digital Phase Technology developed by PhaseView in France allows upgrading conventional microscopes to transform them into a 3D measurement device with vertical resolution in the nanometer range. The upgrade is a device which goes onto the C-mount of the microscope. moreOct. 12, 2009

Ca2+ Imaging

Effective fluorescence imaging of Ca2+ signals requires special filters for excitation of Fura 2 in UV at 340 nm and 380 nm. New hardcoated exciters with 95% transmission for ratio measurements are now available from AHF analysentechnik. Also emission filters with more than 95% transmission will enable maximum of signal intensity. Combining of GFP excitation and Fura 2 imaging can be done as well by using special filter set-ups. These filters can be mounted in all the different cubes of microscopes. moreOct. 12, 2009

Nanometer Precision

The Rowiak CellSurgeon is a laser nanodissection system for gentle manipulation of living cells and subcellular structures. It combines microscopic imaging techniques with femtosecond laser cutting, providing a versatile platform for novel experimental approaches in biological, medical and pharmaceutical research. Applications include, for example, transfection of cells, deactivation of cell organelles or investigation of cell dynamics. more