25 Laser Scanning Microscopy Opens up Opportunities
The explosion in the number of new fluorescent dyes has opened up exciting new opportunities for life science researchers. However, each requires the microscope system to be equipped with an appropriate excitation laser, a limitation that has greatly restricted their adoption.
According to Carl Zeiss, the answer is the new In Tune laser system, which offers free selection of laser lines in the range 488 nm to 640 nm. Together with the LSM 710 laser scanning microscope, In Tune enables cell biologists, physiologists and researchers in biology, medicine and biophysics to perform novel fluorescence measurements for the first time. Whatever the excitation wavelength required, In Tune matches the dye perfectly to enable their use in intensity or lifetime imaging experiments.
The choice of fluorescent dyes is unrestricted as In Tune can be used alongside other system lasers, from near UV to far red. This is particularly important for FRET (Förster Resonance Energy
Transfer) as In Tune allows the unrestricted use of new dye combinations in the green-red spectral range. With its 40 MHz pulse repetition rate In Tune is also an ideal source of excitation for FLIM (Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy) experimentation.
In Tune is as stable and reliable as standard gas or diode lasers, offering a comparably low noise level that does not degrade the high image quality of the LSM 710. New or existing LSM 710 or LSM 710 NLO systems can be equipped with In Tune and control of the new laser is integrated into the Zeiss ZEN software where ‘Smart Setup’ takes care of the LSM settings for excitation and detection.
MICROSCOPY Circle no. 577 Low Profile Submersible Magnetic Stirrers
The innovative, maintenance-free 2mag range of submersible magnetic stirrers and stirrer hotplates are now available in the UK from Camlab.
The high quality magnetic stirrers feature state- of-the-art inductive drive technology, which eliminates the need for traditional wire wound motors.
The compact inductive drive construction allows for a choice of low profile stirrers with a high ratio of stirring points per platform. In addition, the revolutionary drive system provides smooth, jerk-free startup, requires no maintenance and offers years of trouble free operation.
The range includes fully submersible designs, 15 place platforms, biological stirrers and the
hotMIX 1, which has a footprint of only 120 x 140 x 80mm (WxDxH) and Camlab believes this makes it the smallest hotplate stirrer in the world.
LAB PRODUCTS Circle no. 578 Points without Limits Big Performance at the NANO Scale
Oxford Instruments’ revolutionary X-Max large area Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) is now available for the analytical TEM. The ability to handle high count rates in a liquid nitrogen free environment, combined with INCAEnergy TEM software, ensures X-Max will maximise the performance of a TEM.
The 80mm2 sensor guarantees high counts giving excellent analytical performance down to and including Be. This sensitivity offers potential for analysis of nano-particles and other nano-features.
In contrast to Si(Li) detectors, excellent resolution is maintained at high count rates over 100,000cps. These faster acquisition rates allow mapping and linescans in thicker samples where high counts would normally cause the Si(Li) detector to retract or the shutter to close. There is no need to turn down the beam current. High quality X-ray maps and linescans can be collected much more rapidly.
Max is peltier cooled and requires no liquid nitrogen, which allows the detector to cool down in seconds and therefore it is always ready for analysis. It has no moving parts or boiling LN2 to cause vibration and a motorised slide is used to remove the detector from high electron flux in low mag mode.
X-Max TEM is safe, convenient and environmentally friendly. The geometry has been optimised to suit most TEMs. MICROSCOPY Circle no. 579
Eppendorf’s customer rewards programme, ep-points, has teamed up with
labpoints.de, an independent rewards programme for the laboratory sector. Eppendorf customers now have the added flexibility of converting ep-points to labpoints, and vice versa. This new cooperation means points add up more quickly and gives access to a much wider choice of attractive rewards.
Eppendorf customers receive ep-points as a reward for their loyalty, with the purchase of pipettes, tips and tubes. ep-points can be redeemed either for Eppendorf products, leisure and fun gifts, or a selection of items for the laboratory. Now that Eppendorf is a recognised partner of
labpoints.de, customers have the added option of exchanging ep-points for labpoints. These can then be used to order a range of great items from the
labpoints.de rewards shop, available in four categories: sport and leisure, home and design, technology and PC, or lab and office.
LAB PRODUCTS Circle no. 581
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc has introduced the new Thermo Scientific FILLit Software, maximising the flexibility of the Thermo Scientific Multidrop Combi and Multidrop Combi nL reagent dispensers. The easy-to-use FILLitTM Software provides increased user functionality, along with the ability to develop, database and transfer dispensing protocols. With data on run time, protocol parameters and instrument settings, the software is ideal for life science and drug discovery laboratories looking to maximise the functionality of their Multidrop® Combi nL reagent dispensers.
Combi and Multidrop
The FILLit software for the Multidrop Combi is highly flexible, with an extensive plate list sorted according to manufacturer. Furthermore, plate layouts are easily transferred into the instrument memory for stand-alone use and are easily managed on-screen. This allows the user to easily select the required format and columns to be filled.
The Multidrop Combi nL version of the FILLit software increases experimental accuracy with the generation of 5 point calibration curves, and a more advanced calibration check option. As a result, possible differences in the dispensing volume of each valve can be adjusted, ensuring extreme precision. The software enables the discreet selection of wells, in addition to columns and rows. It also enables the definition of well volumes and enables protocols to be stored in the database where they can be transferred to the instrument.
IT SOLUTIONS Circle no. 580
New Software for Reagent Dispensers
LABMATE UK & IRELAND - AUGUST 2009
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