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High Speed, High Sensitivity, High Dynamic Range
MICROSCOPY & MICROTECHNIQUES
Pushing the Boundaries of Fluorescence Imaging
Olympus has introduced a new, highly versatile, range of cutting-edge research microscope systems. The Olympus xcellence line covers advanced live cell techniques such as real-time high-speed imaging, TIRFM & HILO (cell^TIRF), photo control such as FRAP, FLIP & photo activation (cell^FRAP), and laser spinning disc confocal (cell^SPIN). More importantly, the Olympus xcellence range takes these techniques to the extreme via a complete series of new and innovative features that ensure researchers can continue breaking new ground in science.
Nikon has added the high speed DS-Vi1 colour camera to its market-leading range of Digital Sight cameras for microscopic imaging. The DS-Vi1 offers high frame rates and increased sensitivity for both multiple live image and sharp still image capture, making it ideal for high end biological research, clinical analysis and documentation as well as medical teaching use. The DS-Vi1 features a 2- megapixel colour CCD with outstanding SXGA video display rates of up to 27 frames per second possible and effortless fast focusing. In addition, the DS-Vi1 offers high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range of more than 600:1, enabling the capture of clear, sharp images.
Offering all of the convenience and features of the DS series, the DS-Vi1 can be combined, via a USB 2.0 interface, with either the stand-alone Nikon DS-L2 control unit or the DS-U2 PC control-based unit. The DS-L2 features a large 8.4 inch high- definition LCD monitor and allows live observation, camera control and image capture via simple on-screen menus without connection to a PC. In addition, the DS-Vi1 can be controlled by Nikon’s acclaimed NIS-elements software. With the DS-U2 PC control unit, live images can be viewed, recorded, measured, processed, and analysed with integrated control of the camera and microscope peripherals.
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The Olympus xcellence live cell imaging system range is designed to bring the most advanced fluorescent imaging techniques within easier reach, whilst pushing the very boundaries of optical imaging. The Unix-based controller provides the high-speed parallel component management required to ensure that each procedure can capture the most advanced data. The xcellence software includes the Experiment Manager, a universal planning and execution tool with logic and simple drag-and-drop experiment construction. Olympus xcellence provides the ultimate system for imaging live cells over prolonged periods of time with the Olympus MT20 fluorescence lightsource providing highly stabilised mercury or mercury-xenon burner control with very fast filter, attenuator and shutter changes. The new xcellence software also offers Olympus Data Bus (ODB) enhanced controls for a broader spectrum of hardware including laser linking, for fast switching and precise control of laser lines. Furthermore, the system now incorporates multiple high-speed (µsec) bidirectional TTL communication ports, greatly expanding the hardware integration capacity.
The new total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy module, cell^TIRF, features 4 laser lines with separate motorised angle control enabling synchronised acquisition with identical penetration depth. The cell^FRAP system offers the state-of- the-art in photo control technology, enabling advanced FRAP, iFRAP, FLIP, FLAP, photoactivation and photoconversion. The Olympus cell^SPIN has been developed as a bright laser spinning disk confocal system with the highest emission efficiency on the market.
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Safely Analysing DNA and RNA from Essential Forage Crops
Syngene is pleased to announce its G:BOX EF gel documentation system is being used by scientists in a prestigious plant breeding centre at Aberystwyth University in Wales to help map the DNA and RNA from commercially important forage crops.
Molecular biologists at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) at Aberystwyth University are using a G:BOX EF imaging system to accurately analyse agarose gels containing red and white clover DNA and RNA stained with GelRed™ Nucleic Acid Gel Stain. The information from the gels is being used to map clover genes and is in the long term, helping scientists at the IBERS to produce new varieties that can tolerate environmental stresses and are more nutritious feed stocks.
PCR Plate of the Month Trial
Charlotte Jones, Laboratory Manager at IBERS, said: “Clovers are very important as they are primarily used in high quality animal feed but are also a good source of pollen for bees to make honey from. To analyse specific genes from the new varieties we breed, we visualise small amounts of DNA and RNA stained with GelRed™. We prefer to use GelRed because it is safer than Ethidium bromide but not as sensitive.”
Mrs Jones added: “We purchased a G:BOX EF because the system is easy to programme and the camera detects the GelRed bands well, allowing us to see 5-20 nanogram amounts. The GeneTools software is great, as we can set up our own results folders and the printer also reproduces precise pictures of all the different coloured images from the screen. In short, the system is perfect for our research.”
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Even, Equal and Simultaneous Imaging Perfection
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc announced it will offer life scientists the opportunity to use Thermo Scientific ABgene Diamond Ultra PCR Plates on a trial basis as their ‘Plate of the Month’ for March 2010. This ultra-rigid 384-well PCR plate ensures reliable performance on medium- to high-throughput robotic handling systems for a smooth and efficient workflow.
The proprietary polymer used in the ABgene Diamond Ultra PCR plate is extremely warp-resistant, ensuring consistent plate dimensions during thermal cycling. This help maintain the integrity of seals, reduces evaporation issues and ensures easy removal of plates from thermal cycler blocks for consistent, optimal performance in automated PCR and sequencing applications.
The thin-walled well design of the Diamond Ultra Plate ensures greater amplification efficiency by delivering rapid and consistent heat transfer, while the ‘diamond-like’ clarity of the clear option allows quick and easy visual plate checks. In addition, the properties of the unique polymer lessens splash-back during pipetting steps, ensuring accurate and problem-free liquid handling even at low dispensing volumes. Diamond Ultra 384-well plates are also available in opaque white for enhanced sensitivity in QPCR applications.
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Longstanding TIRF microscopy specialist Olympus has introduced the new advanced cell^TIRF system as part of its newly launched xcellence live cell fluorescence imaging station. This superior multi-laser independent beam path technology, combined with new TIRFM objectives covering the broadest selection available, ensures that cell^TIRF delivers a new level of sensitivity and precision in multi-colour TIRFM. Olympus offers six dedicated TIRFM objectives of exceptional optical quality, including the highest resolution available with a numerical aperture of 1.69 NA, as well as the highest magnification at 150x (1.45 NA). This means that TIRFM investigations can be carried out with penetration depths down to 40 nm.
Newly available objectives offering increased numerical apertures of 1.49 at 100x and 60x magnification ensure excellent angle flexibility, enabling small penetration depths. Exceptional software integration and mechanics along with these objectives mean that users can precisely and automatically adjust laser penetration with 1nm accuracy at the click of a button. This is possible as cell^TIRF is fully integrated into the xcellence real time imaging system with automatic device configuration via ODB (Olympus Data Bus), enabling fast switching and precise control of hardware, including the TIRF condenser and laser lines.
Enabled by the xcellence software, just one button is required to switch between critical angle, defined penetration depth and laser widefield illumination. Highly inclined and laminated optical (HILO) sheet imaging is also enabled due to the XY-adjustable field stops for every laser beam. Furthermore, fine adjustment is possible via the mouse wheel or keyboard. Complete integration within the Experiment Manager, a graphical experiment construction tool also enables specialised TIRFM commands for sophisticated applications, such as experiments with varying penetration depths combined with widefield and confocal microscopy.
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INTERNATIONAL LABMATE - APRIL/MAY 2010 - MICROSCOPY & MICROTECHNIQUES
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