Ocean Optics Overture free spectrometer operating software

Ocean Optics has expanded its software offerings with the launch of Overture, a free spectrometer operating platform for simple data and spectral collection. This more basic software is geared to users new to spectroscopy or those who do not require the more advanced features of Ocean Optics' sophisticated SpectraSuite software.

For use with most all Ocean Optics spectrometers, Overture's standard functions include absorbance, transmission and intensity modes. Integration time and other spectrometer operating parameters are controlled via an intuitive user interface with icons and setup wizards. The 32-/64-bit Windows compatible system allows users to manipulate how data is displayed using tools such as smoothing, snapshot and zoom, and permits simultaneous viewing of two graphs for comparison. A concentration wizard guides users through the process of measuring solutions absorbance at different concentrations, plotting a calibration curve and applying Beer-Lambert law to determine unknown concentrations.

Overture now comes standard with most Ocean Optics spectrometer purchases.

Overture now comes standard with most Ocean Optics spectrometer purchases. Current spectrometer owners may download a free copy of Overture at: http://www.oceanoptics.com/Products/overture.asp  Refer to next page

Andor deep-depletion CCD camera captures advance
that could speed-up introduction of stem cell therapy

Nottingham University researchers led by Dr Ioan Notingher demonstrate non-invasive Raman microspectroscopy technique that delivers high purity cell populations

Many medical researchers believe that stem cell therapy will revolutionise the treatment of human disease and may provide treatments for many currently incurable diseases. However, one problem still to be overcome is controlling the excessive proliferation of cells with unwanted phenotypes after transplantation to prevent tissue overgrowth and tumour formation.

Unfortunately, most techniques currently available for the characterisation of cells are invasive and make the cells unusable. Now, a Nottingham University team led by Dr Ioan Notingher has developed a non-invasive Raman microspectroscopy (RMS) technique that phenotypically identifies live cardiomyocyte cells within highly heterogeneous cell populations with greater than 96% sensitivity and specificity.

Referring to image above:
(A) Immunostaining for cardiac phenotype (a-actinin, red) and cell nucleus (DAPI, purple).
(B) PAS staining for glycogen.
(C) Raman spectral image corresponding to the 938 cm to the minus 1 band obtained from a typical CM.
(D) Selected Raman spectra at positions indicated by the blue square and green star (acquisition time: 1 s per spectrum).

The team used an Andor iDus 401A-BRDD cooled, deep-depletion, back-illuminated CCD camera attached to a purpose-built Raman microspectrometer to record spectra from individual cells derived from micrometric regions of human embryonic stem cells (hESC). By comparing with matching immunofluorescence images from the same cells, they showed that the Raman spectra correspond to the spatial distribution of biomolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, and that this can be used to discriminate between different cell types.

"We needed the shortest possible acquisition times for the Raman spectra and the Andor iDus 401A camera is ideal for this application, allowing measurements of Raman spectra from selected positions in the cells in only 0.5 seconds," says Dr Ioan Notingher. "Also, the detectors are optimised for the spectral regions in which we work, 800-900 nm, which is vital for avoiding photodamage to the cells. Since RMS has only a minimal background signal from water, it allows repeated observations of viable cells maintained under physiological conditions.

"Together with Professor Denning, also of the University of Nottingham and a leader in regenerative medicine, we have validated the potential of RMS for allowing the non-invasive phenotypic identification of hESC progeny. With further development, such label-free optical techniques may enable the separation of high-purity cell populations with mature phenotypes and provide repeated measurements to monitor time-dependent molecular changes in live hESCs during differentiation in vitro."

According to Antoine Varagnat, Product Specialist at Andor, "the iDus has been the detector of choice in the research community for many years and Dr Notingher's breakthrough work is a fantastic testimony to the performance of this platform. With its unique -100°C thermo-electric cooling platform and highest sensitivity in the near-infrared (NIR), as well as an extremely compact design for ease of integration to complex experiments, the iDus is just the right camera for NIR micro-Raman applications.".

Image (left): Raman spectral maps corresponding to the cardiac Raman spectral marker for three typical CMs and fluorescence staining for alpha-actinin (myofibrils) and DAPI (cell nuclei). (b) Typical point Raman spectra taken from various points inside cells, corresponding to regions rich in myofibrils, nucleus, and lipid bodies.

Image (right): First four PC loading spectra in the PCA of Raman spectra of CMs and non-CMs. The variance captured by each PC is shown in brackets. (B) Distribution of the scores corresponding to the first PC (PC1) for CMs (circles) and non-CMs (squares).

Compared to existing techniques, Raman microspectroscopy has several unique advantages for characterizing heterogeneous cell populations that makes it ideal for stem cell therapy. Conventional cell biology assays, such as PCR and Western Blotting, are invasive, require a large number of cells, and present averaged results representing entire cell populations. Fluorescence and magnetic cell sorting approaches rely on lineage-specific surface markers expressed on the cell membrane. However, many cell types, including cardiomyocytes, do not express these markers on the surface and are rendered unusable in a clinical environment by fixation and permeabilization. And, although transgenic strategies may be used to express surface markers, the complex genetic modifications also mean that the resulting cells are not suitable for clinical applications.

Andor's modular Spectroscopy solutions encompass a wide range of high performance CCD, ICCD and EMCCD detectors, as well as a comprehensive range of Research-grade spectrograph platforms and versatile interfacing to microscopes.

Reference
Flavius C. Pascut, Huey T. Goh, Nathan Welch, Lee D. Buttery, Chris Denning, and Ioan Notingher. "Noninvasive Detection and Imaging of Molecular Markers in Live Cardiomyocytes Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells," Biophysical Journal 2011, 100, 251-259

For further information, view website: http://www.andor.com/spectroscopy_solutions

Andor Technology in profile
Andor is a world leader in Scientific Imaging, Spectroscopy Solutions and Microscopy Systems. Established in 1989 from Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Andor Technology now employs over 300 people in 16 offices worldwide, distributing its portfolio of over 80 products to 10,000 customers in 55 countries.

Using the latest cutting edge technologies, Andor designs and manufactures robust, high performance instruments allowing scientists around the world to measure light down to a single photon and capture events occurring within 1 billionth of a second. This unique capability is helping them push back the boundaries of knowledge from nano-scale to universe-scale level in fields as diverse as drug discovery, new material development and analysis, medical diagnosis, food quality control, art restoration, astronomy and solar energy research.

For further information, Andor Technology PLC (LSE: AND), view website: website www.andor.com

Thermo Scientific dense storage format also reduces storage costs

The Thermo Scientific Dense Storage system for low-temperature storage of biological samples and solutions combines 1 mL Thermo Scientific Nunc CryoBank tubes with the new 13 x 13 tube dividers and Nunc™ CryoBoxes. This novel Dense Storage format effectively doubles existing storage capacity, which can reduce costs by up to 50 percent while decreasing energy use. The company showcased the Dense Storage System during Biotechnica 2011.

Many laboratories store samples as aliquots of 1 mL or less in 2 mL tubes. By using the space-efficient 1 mL Nunc CryoBank tubes and Nunc CryoBoxes with tube dividers, users can instantly double their freezer capacity without taking up more lab space. Standalone tube separators can also be retrofitted to existing CryoBoxes for additional flexibility. Optional 2D barcodes on the Nunc CryoBank tubes enable precise tracking and traceability. To facilitate quick and easy manual handling, the Thermo Scientific CryoBank Picker Pen has been designed to fit into the top of each tube to uncap or move it between racks. It also doubles as a ballpoint pen.

The complete Thermo Scientific low-temperature storage portfolio consists of CryoBank tubes, CryoBoxes, replacement dividers, a Picker Pen and the Thermo Scientific Revco UxF ultra low temperature freezers. The new Dense Storage format and Revco® UxF freezers allow laboratories to further increase capacity and require a smaller footprint than previous Revco models.

For further information or to receive a free Dense Storage sample kit, view website: www.thermoscientific.com/storemore  Refer to page 273