For Modern Microscopy, “Intelligence” Makes the Difference
Today's highly evolved "intelligent" and "automated" microscopes help obtain the best results in the shortest time.
by Dr. Karin Schwab, Product Manager "Life Science Research", Leica Microsystems CMS, Wetzlar, Germany
Drosophilia eye, BGR
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Researchers who depend on microscopes are increasingly asked to deliver results in less and less time and it is this need for greater efficiency that drives innovation. When integrated correctly, concepts such as "intelligence" and "automation" have the potential to simplify the most complex applications in light microscopy. The Right Setting for Each Contrast Method
Each researcher knows the situation. You're at the microscope with the perfect sample. The appropriate contrasting method is differential interference contrast (DIC), but adjusting the microscope is complicated; inserting the polarizer, the analyzer, and a condenser prism—as well as the insertion of the correct objective and the adjustment of the prism bias.
New upright and inverted microscopes offer "automated" capabilities that deliver the perfect image in just "one button click" and can quickly switch from the current contrast method to any contrast method for fast and accurate results. But this is simply an example of "automation" built into the equipment.
"Intelligent" capabilities, on the other hand, allow the microscope to monitor—at all times—which objective is in use and, in case of DIC, which combination of condenser prism and objective prism gives the best results for a specific objective. "Intelligent automation" ensures that if the prism bias is modified to get the last bit of information from the sample, the corresponding values for this particular objective are recorded and can be recalled. This trend towards intelligent automation simplifies microscope use and saves valuable research time.
Getting the Right Light Conditions
The right contrasting method is one aspect of an excellent image. Correct illumination is the other. Advanced microscopy systems automatically store the field and aperture diaphragm and the light intensity settings for each combination of magnification and contrasting methods.
Fluorescence, a sophisticated microscopy technique, demands special attention to prevent damage to delicate fluorescence samples. Leica is the first to integrate an automated fluorescence intensity manager to attenuate excitation light to protect the sample from bleaching. Intelligence capabilities store the value of light reduction together with each fluorescence cube in use for perfect reproducibility.
The Correct Position
Microscopy samples are not always fixed and static. Live cell imaging in real time is increasingly important for tracing events in cells or in complete organisms. Labeling cellular proteins with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and other methods gives a glimpse into the cellular "living room." For microscopes and software to capture fast movements of fluorescent-labeled cell components requires high accuracy and speed of the z-focus and motor stages. Current microscopes can store the z-focus position with full consideration of the parfocality adjustment. Different positions in the x, y direction of the stage on the slide can be stored to relocate to each position.
Creating Smart Fluorescence Applications
The system consists of Leica DMI 6000 B, a DFC350 FX camera and AF6000 I fluorescence software.
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Microscope intelligence provides superior digital integration by coordinating the microscope, camera, and the software into a single, seamless system. Integrating "smart" software modules can take best advantage of the specific capabilities of an intelligent microscopy system. E.g. A "store & recall" module is able to recall the exact microscope and camera settings used to acquire a particular image. In addition, image overlay modules combine different contrast images with each channel being individually controlled with respect to contrast and all light settings, including camera settings.
The most advanced modules for complex fluorescence applications are intuitive software packages that enable time-lapse experiments, precise z-stacking, and mosaicing for large image overviews.
In summary, today's microscopes are highly evolved "intelligent" and "automated" tools that help obtain the best results in the shortest time.
For more information concerning "intelligent automation" in microscopes, please contact Dr. Karin Schwab, at Karin.Schwab@leica-microsystems.com or visit www.leica-microsystems.com.
