Live cell imaging
Bio-imaging Facility at the University of Manchester ordered three new Nikon eC1 confocal microscopes.
![Photo: Live cell imaging](/media/story/749/image-1413132821.jpg)
Two of these are to be equipped with EMCCD monochrome digital cameras, offering single photon sensitivity. Nikon reports that one of the confocal systems will be attached to a Nikon Eclipse 90i upright microscope, whilst the others will be fitted to TE2000E inverted motorised microscopes, making them ideal for a wide range of advanced live-cell imaging techniques. These inverted microscopes will also be equipped with Nikon’s perfect focus system (PFS) to eliminate drift during time-lapse observations. ‘The PFS has to represent one of the most useful additions to any live cell imaging microscope,’ explained Dr Peter March, Bio-imaging Experimental Officer at the Faculty. ‘Contrast-based auto focus is just not an option in rapid live cell imaging. For TIRF, maintaining a stable focal plane is critical - any drift during the experiment will make the data meaningless. With PFS, once you set that focal plane it stays in focus and doesn’t move.’
17.11.2006