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Widefield Fluorescence Workstation
Key Benefits
- Morphological Identification through
Differential Interference Contrast
- Capable of observing a wide range of
fluorophores
- Different images of the same area can be
overlaid to give a DIC image that includes fluorescence
Capabilities
- Fluorescent microscopy is a form of
light microscopy in which the specimen is irradiated at wavelengths that excite
fluorochromes. Fluorescence is used to detect structures, molecules or proteins
within the cell. Fluorescent molecules absorb light at one wavelength and emit
light at another, longer wavelength. When fluorescent molecules absorb a
specific absorption wavelength for an electron in a given orbital, the electron
rises to a higher energy level (the excited) state. Electrons in this state are
unstable and will return to the ground state, releasing energy in the form of
light and heat. This emission of energy is fluorescence. Because some energy is
lost as heat, the emitted light contains less energy and therefore is a longer
wavelength than the absorbed (or excitation) light.
- In fluorescence microscopy, a sample is
labeled and the label is illuminated with filtered light at the absorbing
wavelength; the light emitted from the dye is viewed through a filter that
allows only the emitted wavelength to be seen. The dye glows brightly against a
dark background because only the emitted wavelength is allowed to reach the
eyepieces or camera port of the microscope. Sometimes the fluorescent molecule
itself is a direct stain or probe for specific structures. In other situations
the fluorescent dye is bound to another non-fluorescent probe that recognizes
specific structures.
- We have both upright and inverted scopes, all
of which are equipped with both digital and traditional Nikon cameras. Multiple
images can be taken of the same area and overlayed to produce multiple channels
within a single image. Our scopes also have Differential Interference Contrast
abilities which are useful in identifying structural morphology.
Sample images
