Elevating your microscopy to the next dimension

Olympus has released the Multichannel 5D Solution module for its cellSens Dimension software. This module will simplify even the most complicated microscopy experiment, by providing advanced, automated acquisition of Z-stacks, multiple fluorescence channels and time-lapse series. Able to seamlessly integrate with other Olympus hardware and software platforms, the new module provides a level of adaptability that will take microscopy studies to the next level.

The Multichannel 5D Solution module from Olympus enables the automated acquisition of images in five dimensions (5D): X, Y, Z, multi-channel with transmission overlay, and time-lapse. As a result, this powerful tool can provide researchers with the ability to visualise and analyse multiple features within 3D space as well as monitoring changes over time, thereby enhancing the ability of the cellSens Dimension system to carry out highly customisable and complicated experiments. When used with the automated Extended Focal Imaging (EFI) tool it is possible to obtain perfectly focused images by extracting the sharpest features from each Z-stack before reassembling them into a single, crystal clear image. Furthermore, the EFI tool can be used on-the-fly to display images in real-time.

As well as providing greater physical and temporal flexibility, the new module is ideally suited to performing co-localisation studies by facilitating the spectral unmixing of overlapping fluorescence emission signals. The user interface provides researchers with the ideal workflow, since only the required tools and features are displayed, further simplifying analysis. In combination with the Olympus cellSens Dimension Multi-position module and cellSens Dimension's built in Multiple Image Alignment (MIA) tool, images from adjacent fields can be flawlessly stitched together to create large panoramas that take advantage of all the features provided by the 5D system. Furthermore, the process can be automated to achieve a level of complex analysis not possible using manual control. In this way the impressive 5D platform can be elevated into the 6^th Dimension, providing users with yet more flexibility and functionality.

cellSens Dimension
Designed to offer control and processing for microscope-based experimental systems, the cellSens Dimension software package provides a broad range of advanced features, as well as specialised, optional Solution modules. Users can conduct a range of complex and highly sophisticated experiments, from extended focal imaging to multiple image alignment and multi-position imaging. In addition, live images can be transferred directly to the web using the Netcam Solution, enabling rapid discussion with colleagues, wherever they are in the world. With the ability to control a wide range of Olympus and non-Olympus hardware, advanced and precise time-lapse experiments can be conducted, for example. The resulting time stacks, can even be put through kinetic and threshold-based object analysis. Once data has been obtained, the unique report composer uses Microsoft Word templates to generate user-defined reports that retrieve images and data directly from the cellSens database.

For further information contact, Esther Ahrent, e-mail: microscopy@olympus-europa.com or view website: www.microscopy.olympus.eu   Refer to page 311   

New photosensitive film converts
light into kinetic energy, bends when irradiated

Researchers at RIKEN have successfully developed a revolutionary new polymer film that changes shape upon irradiation with UV and visible light. Described in Science, the film is the largest-ever example of a material whose molecular elements are ordered in three dimensions on a macroscopic length scale, marking a breakthrough in techniques for molecular design and processing.

Living organisms depend crucially for their growth and development on their ability to assemble molecules into large, ordered three-dimensional structures. The same assembly processes offer an attractive means for designing materials and devices with novel functions, yet scientists have thus far found such processes impossible to reproduce at a macroscopic scale.

To overcome this impasse, the research group used a structure known as a "polymer brush" (Fig 1) made up of a polymethacrylate backbone with outstretched side-chains, which together form a cylindrical shape. Azobenzene molecules, known for their propensity to deform when irradiated, were inserted into the side chains, and a free-standing cast film, created from a solution of the polymer brushes, was then tested for photomechanical response.

When no such response was initially detected, the researchers adopted a different approach, sandwiching the polymer brushes between Teflon sheets to first melt them at 130 °C, then "hot-press" them at 115 °C. The hot-pressing process, they discovered, aligned the main chains of the brushes perpendicular to the film plane, while the side chains oriented themselves horizontally along the stretching direction of the Teflon sheets. The resulting 3D molecular ordering enables the film to literally bend and stretch upon alternating irradiation by UV and visible light (Fig 2 & 3).

In converting light energy directly into a mechanical force, this remarkable photoresponsive bending motion breaks new ground in the study of functional materials, suggesting applications in the design of muscle-like biomorphic devices. As a technique, the combination of polymer brushes and hot-pressing vastly expands the scale at which such materials can be manufactured, promising to bring advances from the world of molecular processing to the macroscopic level of our daily lives (Fig 4).

Reference
Nobuhiko Hosono, Takashi Kajitani, Takanori Fukushima, Kazuki Ito, Sono Sasaki, Masaki Takata, Takuzo Aida. Large-Area Three-Dimensional Molecular Ordering of a Polymer Brush by One-Step Processing. Science (2010). DOI: 10.1126/science. 1195302.

For further information contact, Dr. Takuzo Aida, Functional Soft Matter Research Group, RIKEN A dvanced Science Institute, Tel: +81-(0)3-5841-7251 / Fax: +81-(0)3-5841-7310 or Dr. Takanori Fukshima, Tel: +81-(0)48-462-1111 ext. 6345, 6349, 6338.

Figure 1: Molecular formulae of a polymer brush. Center: Schematic illustration of the polymer brush. Right: Photograph of a bottle-cleaning brush for comparison.

Figure 2: Photomechanical bending motion of hot-pressed polymer brush film.

Figure 3: Structural deformation of azobenzene molecule upon exposure to UV and visible light.

Figure 4: Schematic illustration of 3D molecular order in hot-pressed polymer brush film. (Left to right): Photoresponsive film, cross-sectional view of the film, vertical orientation of the brush, packing structure of the brush, polymer brush and side chain.

For further information regarding RIKEN contact, Ms. Tomoko Ikawa (PI officer),  Global Relations Office,  e-mail: koho@riken.jp

Clarity and flexibility defines Two Fold Software's next generation of LIMS

Two Fold Software Limited, the London-based innovative LIMS developer, is defining the next generation of LIMS solutions with the release of its enhanced Qualoupe LIMS software that features a simple to use intuitive user interface that offers both clarity and flexibility never before seen in the commercial LIMS industry.

To produce a more articulate, simple to use, user interface Two Fold Software has introduced key innovative features that are geared to enriching the user experience when using the Qualoupe LIMS package.  The specially optimised software ensures that user interface functions assist users to work simply, clearly and efficiently in the way they wish to work.

A case in point is the way that Qualoupe's roles functionality has been designed to modify the users interface to reflect the LIMS capabilities assigned to the users role.

"In Qualoupe you can define a role for a Lab Technician who only needs access to, say, the sample manager and batch manager modules," explained Paul Bateman, Two Fold Software's Business Development Manager.  "This role can be used to quickly assign the rights and privileges to all 'Laboratory Technicians' but because the role definition is  linked to the user interface the system  presents only the assigned applications when a 'Laboratory Technician' logs into the system, rather than them seeing all the functionality that exists.  This greatly simplifies the user experience and prevents distracting the user with unnecessary functions".

"The Qualoupe approach is unlike all other LIMS solutions which traditionally use the roles functionality as a means to assign the rights and privileges of a user.   

Another popular user interface feature offered by the latest release of Qualoupe allows users to define sequential sample numbering by laboratory, by batch, or by project. 

"Many laboratories preferred to work using sequential samples in their pre-LIMS days.  Previous generations of LIMS forced laboratories to change to using non-sequential numbering in order to implement a LIMS.  Essentially it became a necessary evil as part of the trade-off to achieve performance," explained Bateman. "Now with the next-generation Qualoupe solution it is feasible to ensure that all LIMS samples, batches and projects can be assigned unique numbers when they are created.  These numbers are centrally controlled, so in cases where multiple labs exist, the samples can be logged in across the labs and allocated sequential sample numbers for each lab.  The same applies when samples are assigned to batches by Qualoupe it is feasible to log sequential sample numbers for the samples in a batch".

The Web-based Qualoupe user customisable interface is principally icon-driven and features uncluttered screens using a Just Enough Information Model (JEIM) that requires minimal mouse clicks to operate. 

Qualoupe's user interface has been tailored to revolutionise work flow and remove the complexity of running a LIMS,  which then offers the following time and cost saving benefits: 1) Less user training is required. 2) A reduction in the LIMS 'go live' time. 3) Faster return on investment. 4) Quicker user acceptance of the LIMS solution.

Two Fold Software offers a 'rental payment option' in addition to the traditional purchase option for its Qualoupe LIMS solution; that offers  easier access to the major productivity gains, improved quality management and the reporting flexibility that Qualoupe delivers, by not requiring significant outlay of capital.

For further information, e-mail: info@twofold-software.com or view website: www.twofold-software.com   Refer to page 319