16 New Dual Sensor Camera Offers Unique Imaging Capabilities
Stemmer Imagings’ latest camera offering, the JAI AD-081CL, features two monochrome progressive scan CCD sensors mounted to a custom-designed optical prism. The prism-based design enables the camera to simultaneously capture two channels of 30fps video of the same field of view to within one-quarter pixel accuracy. A choice of operating modes allows the camera to be used for high dynamic range, high-speed operation or particle imaging velocimetry.
Particle Imaging Velocimetry (PIV) is a planar optical measurement technique which provides a means of measuring the velocity of seeded particles (~1 - 50 microns (in air)) in the flow of interest. With a single CCD camera, the laser illumination is pulsed and two sequential images are captured and analysed to track particle measurement. The dual sensor AD-081CL, however, features a unique PIV mode, which allows the cameras’ two-channel operation to capture three
closely-spaced images on a single trigger instead of two. This provide 50% more data for improved analysis of ultra-fast events.
Independent control of shutter speed and/or gain for each channel of the AD-081CL provides the opportunity for wide dynamic range operation. One channel is adjusted for the bright output, while the other channel is tuned for lower light output. The two images can then be analysed separately or combined to produce a dynamic range nearly double the normal CCD response. This enables the camera to achieve dynamic range levels as high as 20-bits per pixel (~120 dB) in a linear fashion that avoids the noise, shutter, and compression issues found in other types of cameras.
The versatile AD-081CL can also operate at an effective frame rate of 60fps. This is achieved by interleaving the images from the two sensors into a single output stream. This high-speed/low noise mode does not increase in the clock frequency of the camera itself, thus keeping clock noise to an absolute minimum.
Each sensor has 1024 x 768 pixel resolution and 8 or 10 bit pixel depth. The camera features two configurable Camera Link outputs, allowing single- cable operation or separate cables for each channel. Other features include partial scanning and vertical binning capabilities, as well as analogue video output to support auto-iris lenses.
MICROSCOPY Circle no. 555 Automated gDNA Isolation from Large-Volume Blood Samples
Hamilton Robotics and Promega Corporation announced that the two companies will collaborate in the development of an automated system for the isolation of genomic DNA from large-volume blood samples. Based on Hamilton’s MICROLAB®
STAR liquid handling
technology and Promega systems and reagents, the new offering will increase throughput for large-volume applications such as biobanking, pharmacogenomics and genetic research.
“Promega is a recognised leader in innovative systems and chemistries for molecular biology applications and we have automated a number of their top-selling products,” commented Rick Luedke, Product Manager for Hamilton Robotics. “We’re pleased to work with them on a solution that addresses key bottlenecks in large-volume genomic DNA extraction.”
“Hamilton’s air displacement pipetting technology offers a number of unique advantages over other robotics systems,” explained Jeff Briganti, Strategic Marketing Manager for Promega. “We have already successfully collaborated with them to create and optimise automated protocols for several applications. This collaboration takes the relationship one step further toward the co-development of an entire system.”
Although life science research has seen a recent overall trend toward miniaturisation, several genetic analysis applications require the ability to isolate DNA from large sample volumes. Automated large-volume liquid handling poses specific challenges that Hamilton has been able to address, most recently with the introduction of its 5ml independent pipetting channels and 5ml disposable tips for the MICROLAB STAR platform. Promega’s new method employs next-generation technology and novel chemistry, allowing for a more robust automated process with increased recovery, higher concentration and enhanced purity of gDNA isolated from large-volume blood samples compared to previous automated techniques.
LAB PRODUCTS Circle no. 556
LABORATORY PRODUCTS
Molecular Scale Resolution Possible with N-SIM Microscopy System
Nikon Instruments is proud to announce that Nikon Corporation has signed an agreement with the University of California, San Francisco Office of Technology Management for Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM) technology. Under the terms of the agreement, UCSF will license its technology to Nikon to make N-SIM enabled microscopes designed to realise resolution higher than can be achieved by conventional optical microscopes.
Optical microscopes are essential for the clear observation of tissues and cells in life science research. However, if multiple objects such as protein molecules cluster at distances of less than 200nm apart, conventional optical microscopes cannot identify them as single objects, necessitating the use of instrumentation such as electron microscopes. Nikon’s super resolution fluorescence microscopy technology greatly exceeds the resolution limits of conventional optical microscopes, making it possible to view microstructures and nanostructures of fixed and living cells with molecular-scale resolution.
Nikon’s N-SIM microscopy system can produce two times the resolution of conventional optical microscopes by combining SIM technology licensed from UCSF and based on the world renowned Eclipse Ti research inverted microscope, with Nikon’s legendary CFI Apo TIRF 100x oil objective lens, developed using unique optical technologies and manufacturing techniques. The SIM technology was developed by Mats G.L. Gustafsson, PhD, John W. Sedat, PhD and David A. Agard, PhD, of UCSF; Agard is currently a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigator at UCSF and Gustafsson is a group leader at HHMI’s Janelia Farm Research Campus.
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INTERNATIONAL MICROSCOPY AND IMAGING CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
28June - 1 July 2010 ExCeL London Circle no. 557
Effective for live-cell imaging, N-SIM provides the fastest imaging capability in the industry, with a time resolution of 0.6 sec/frame. The newly developed TIRF-SIM illumination technique enables total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) observation with higher resolution than conventional TIRF microscopes and gives more detailed structural information near the cell membrane. In addition, another new 3D-SIM illumination technique has the capability of optical sectioning of specimens, enabling the visualisation of more detailed cell spatial structures.
Nikon’s official name for the commercialised system is Super Resolution Microscope N-SIM, and it will be available in May 2010.
MICROSCOPY Circle no. 558
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