60 MICROSCOPY
to study the release of insulin in diabetes, however ultimately it will be used in diverse areas of biomedical research to help scientists gain a deeper understanding of how diseased cells behave in patients living with other long term conditions such as cancer.”
Fig. 2. A 3D image of an islet – a functional unit in the pancreas that releases insulin. The camera under development by researchers at the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt will enable scientists to view protein molecules in cells such as this. Picture courtesy of Heriot-Watt University.
until now has eluded scientists. Tis device could be the key to understanding on a molecular level exactly how our cells function, and what happens when this goes wrong.”
Once the first generation of the camera is developed, Dr Colin Rickman at Heriot-Watt University will use the camera to study insulin secretion and how this can change in diabetes. Tis will test the camera and its capabilities to provide feedback for the next phase of camera development.
Dr Rickman commented: “For the first time, this unique camera will allow us to examine in real time, protein interactions in live cells.
“Initially, we’ll use the camera
Multiphoton excitation In April, Olympus used Analytica 2014 in Munich for the launch of its new multiphoton excitation system the FluoView FVMPE-RS.
Te system enables high- precision, ultra-fast scanning and stimulation, allowing researchers to see deep within specimens, take measurements at the highest speeds, and capture images, even when working under the most demanding conditions.
A high-speed scanner provides 438 frames/second at 512 × 32 scan performance. Te scanner unit combines a newly developed high-speed resonant scanner with a conventional galvanometer scanner to provide high-speed and high-definition imaging in a single system. It is possible, for example, to capture rapid calcium channel reactions and membrane potential-sensitive dyes in action.
In addition, a proprietary silver coating Improves excitation efficiency by 50 per cent when
Fully confocal Raman microscopy N
ew from HORIBA Scientific is the XploRA PLUS fully confocal Raman microscope. Incorporating powerful research functions
in a compact bench footprint, HORIBA says the new microscope does not compromise data quality or image resolution. “XploRA PLUS is a fully confocal and high
performance Raman microscope, offering an unmatched and enhanced range of options such as multiple laser wavelengths, complete automation, EMCCD detection, Raman polarisation and even AFM coupling. “Our SWIFT Fast Raman imaging offers the best
www.scientistlive.com
and most detailed Raman images, typically ten times faster than conventional mapping methods,” notes the company. New LabSpec 6.3 software is aimed at multiple user
environments such as HORIBA’s One-Click Raman. It will automatically adapt and optimise data acquisition parameters, producing quality Raman spectra time after time. S ecurity of the system and hardware is assured by user-specific LabSpec software login accounts, while LabSpec sample methods provide an ideal way to standardise or automate Raman analysis at the touch
of a button. ”Sensitivity and speed is unparalleled utilising
deep-cooled CCD detector technology,” said Dr Andrew Whitley, vice president of sales for HORIBA Scientific. “This enables us to run the system faster, or reduce the amount of laser energy required for each analysis, and offer true non-destructive sample testing, preserving your sample no matter how delicate.” He adds that XplorRA PLUS is the full Raman
microscope package, offering ‘exceptional price/ performance metrics’ with no compromise on performance.
compared with a traditional aluminium coating.
Silver-coated scanner mirrors achieve extremely high reflectance characteristics across a broad wavelength range from visible to near infrared.
Total reflectance for the XY scanner is enhanced by more than 25 per cent in the near- infrared range compared to conventional aluminium coating mirrors, and this increased reflectance provides more than a 50 per cent improvement when converted to multi-photon excitation efficiency. Te result, says the company, is a highly effective apparatus that delivers the superior power needed for deep in vivo probing. Nikon has launched a new laser application called Ti-LAPP for its ECLIPSE Ti range of inverted research microscopes.
With more than 32 different configurations spanning a wide variety of applications, Nikon says its new system provides researchers with unparalleled flexibility and modularity.
Modular illumination Te Ti-LAPP system provides modular illumination modalities ranging from simple epi- fluorescence, to total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF), photobleaching and digital micromirror device-mediated
photoactivation. Tis modularity enables users the freedom to custom combine different imaging modalities to suit their needs.
Te system works seamlessly with Nikon’s NIS-Elements software, as well. By providing multiple modes of imaging on the same microscope, the Ti-LAPP system offers ease of experimentation as well as time and money saved, since users will no longer need to purchase multiple microscopes or systems to support different modes.
“Optical imaging techniques have evolved rapidly beyond just qualitative visualisation. Te Ti-LAPP system responds to those advances in imaging technologies and probes that further enable researchers to quantitatively address biological questions,” said Stephen Ross, general manager of product and marketing for Nikon Instruments. “Tis is the first system providing researchers with the ability to combine multiple imaging techniques with ease on the same imaging platform, as well as the freedom to make additional modifications to those configurations as research and experiments evolve and change.”
Launched in San Diego, USA, late last year, Ti-LAPP is expected to be available commercially shortly.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92