Simple solutions for complex microscopy

The Olympus cell^R and cell^M are highly advanced fluorescence imaging workstations designed for investigating high-speed, live cell processes. These specialised all-in-one illumination systems have highly sensitive digital cameras making them ideal for multicolour fluorescence time-lapse image acquisition. Furthermore, the easy-to-use graphical drag and drop user-interface of the built-in Experiment Manager tool enables the easy set up and execution of complex procedures.

cell^R
With real-time capabilities, the cell^R integrated multi-device imaging station is able to manage high-speed experiments with extreme precision. This fast and flexible system is ideal for sophisticated fluorescence and live cell imaging experiments. Furthermore, cell^R uses the advanced MT20 arc-burner light source for highly stabilised and controllable illumination. A dedicated real-time controller synchronises all hardware and peripheral devices in parallel, with extreme accuracy. This precise synchronisation of sample illumination and image acquisition minimises the risk of phototoxicity and bleaching, as well as ensuring that even the fastest events can be captured.

Image courtesy of: Dr. Jeremy C. Simpson, Cell Biology &  Biophysics, EMBL, Heidelberg, Germany.

cell^M
The Olympus cell^M is also a highly integrated, multi-device imaging station for sophisticated fluorescence applications and live cell experiments. cell^M uses the MT10 Illumination System and high sensitivity CCD cameras to meet experimental requirements for multi-colour fluorescence time-lapse image acquisition.

Experiment Manager
The highly intuitive, user-friendly Experiment Manager tool, featured in both systems, enables the visual assembly of experiment plans. Icons are used to represent simple commands, groups of commands or entire sub-experiments which can be dragged and dropped within the experiment area and joined together to create complete experiments. Individual exposure times, attenuation values and ROIs can be set for each image acquisition command. What is more, these plans are automatically stored with the image data, enabling users to save valuable time by re-using complex experimental procedures without having to set them up again.

The cell*3.0 family
The cell^R and cell^M systems are high-end members of the Olympus cell*3.0 family. This comprehensive series of mutually compatible imaging products offer a unique combination of superior performance and user-friendly operation.

For further information, e-mail: microscopy@olympus-europa.com or view website: www.microscopy.olympus.eu   Refer to next page

Exciting new developments in entry-level fluorescence

The flexibility of light emitting diode (LED) fluorescence light sources for microscopy has recently been enhanced with improvements to the FluoLED product series from Olympus. With advanced flexibility and safety, these easy-to-use entry-level fluorescence systems are ideal for educational or routine laboratory use. Furthermore, three different versions are available to meet the range of user needs.

The FluoLED systems
The FluoLED EasyFluo is a simple-to-use fixed intensity system, providing a single wavelength ideal for basic screening applications. Users can choose one of seven LED cassettes for a fixed intensity to suit their application. What is more, the addition of the new two-position emission filter slider with integrated security micro-switch enhances user safety by ensuring that the filter is in place before the LED is switched on.

The FluoLED single channel system provides precise intensity control for one of the seven interchangeable LED cassettes, enabling exceptional flexibility for fluorescence dye detection. The FluoLED MultiFluo provides simultaneous control of up to three LED cassettes, via a three channel electronic driver. The FluoLED MultiFluo is therefore ideal for multicolour fluorescence observations. Both of these systems benefit from the addition of the new six position filter wheel, facilitating the safer use of different LED cassettes. Integrated photodetectors reduce light intensity when there is no emission filter, or an incorrect filter, in place.

Furthermore, the variable 1-channel (FluoLED Single) and 3-channel (FluoLED MultiFluo) electronic drivers have been re-designed for ease-of-use. Each system is specifically designed to fit directly to Olympus CX upright microscopes. They enable transmitted fluorescence observations of transparent specimens, such as bacteria and thin sections, without removing the capability to perform brightfield illumination. Furthermore, the FluoLED EasyFluo and FluoLED Single can be battery or solar powered, enabling fluorescence microscopy to be conducted 'in field' where samples are fresh. The addition of the new FluoLED Single for the Olympus BX41 microscope now extends the FluoLED product range to clinical applications as well.

For further information, e-mail: microscopy@olympus-europa.com or view website: www.microscopy.olympus.eu   Refer to next page

TIRF Perfection - even, equal & simultaneous

Longstanding TIRF microscopy specialist Olympus has today introduced the new advanced cell^TIRF system as part of its newly launched xcellence live cell fluorescence imaging station. Olympus cell^TIRF enables ultra sensitive simultaneous multi-colour total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy offering 4 laser channels with independent beam paths. Individual motorised angle control for each laser, also enables synchronisation of evanescent penetration to provide simultaneous multi-colour high contrast images with minimal background noise for cell membrane, surface and single molecule studies.

Highest specification objectives
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 6 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. This is highly advantageous for cell membrane studies, and also provides better signal to noise ratios. Exceptional software integration and mechanics along with these objectives mean that users can precisely and automatically adjust laser penetration with 1 nm 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.

Intelligent & intuitive TIRF control
Such is the intelligence and intuitiveness of cell^TIRF 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 very simply via the mouse wheel or keyboard, meaning screwdriver adjustments are a thing of the past! 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.

Flexibility & value
The optics knowledge of Olympus also allows cell^TIRF to be used in combination with other techniques to provide exceptional value for money. The xcellence system provides real time live cell fluorescence imaging and can also accommodate the cell^FRAP photo control and cell^SPIN laser based spinning disk confocal modules. Finally, the system is fully compatible with most microscope tables, image-splitters, Piezo drives and AFM stages.

For further information, e-mail: microscopy@olympus-europa.com or view website: www.microscopy.olympus.eu   Refer to next page

University of Leicester uses NanoSight to
characterize marine viruses & bacteriophages

The Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation at the University of Leicester is using the NanoSight nanoparticle characterization system to count bacteriophage and marine viruses.

Dr. Martha Clokie is a lecturer in microbiology. Her interests are focussed on the ecology and molecular biology of bacteriophages and their relationship with bacterial hosts; ranging from bacterial pathogens to environmentally important cyanobacteria; exploiting bacteriophages and phage-derived products as an alternative to treating antibiotic resistant bacterial infections.

Dr. Clokie has been using the NanoSight system to study cyanobacteria and their viruses which involves the accurate enumeration of viral particles. Prior to the use of the NanoSight system, Dr. Clokie would use time-consuming plaque assays to count viruses, this involves relatively large volumes of cyanobacterial culture and takes up to four weeks to obtain results. Now using NanoSight's unique nanoparticle tracking analysis, she is able to produce data in minutes and with no culturing required. Data from the NanoSight appears to correlate well with data from conventional plaque assays. With the typical viruses in the 100-300nm range and marine samples already being in the concentration range of 10⁶ - 10⁷ parts/ml, this is utilizing the sweet spot of the NanoSight technology which tracks and counts light scattered particle by particle.

Of her results to date, Dr. Clokie says it looks to provide a very promising method with significant ease of use, time-saving advantages. "Being able to visualise the sample without dilution gives me confidence in the results. The NanoSight has also shown advantages over flow cytometry where signal to noise issues can sometimes be a problem for us. This speed of data collection will allow me to probe far more data than I could do otherwise and should really allow the cyanobacterial/phage dynamic to be probed."

For further information, view website: www.nanosight.com  Refer to page 277