The High Content Screening Automation package from Leica Microsystems is suited for confocal research microscopes Leica HCS A. Combining the strength of high-resolution point scanners with the LAS AF MATRIX M3 software platform delivers a highly flexible tool for automated imaging in multidimensions. The company enables researchers to customize Leica confocal microscopes according to actual requirements in life science research laboratories. Basic automation like mosaicing of tissue slides or multiwell plate screening in 2-D and 3-D are part of the starting packages. More sophisticated demands are satisfied by intelligent microscopy: five auto foci, single-object tracking, or automated control of water objectives always deliver excellent results. Export formats are compatible to Open Microscopy Environment by OME.TIFF. Standard TIFF-files can also be read by any modern image analysis software.By remote control of the imaging process, the detection of rare events like mitosis phases now becomes reality. Sophisticated algorithms can analyze images on the fly and report the target coordinates to the instrument via the programming interface Computer Aided Microscopy (CAM). Immediately, the pre-scan switches to high-resolution zoom-in mode and starts to image the target cells directly, offering perspectives for a new type of experiments. Leica HCS A is designed for the core confocal platform systems. Users can choose between the Leica TCS SP5 broadband confocal, the TCS LSI to visualize specimen from micro to macro scale, or the TCS SPE, known for ease of use and robustness.
Michelle LongoAsst. Managing Editor
Striving Toward Secondary GoalsLate last month, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich stunned most everyone when he declared his promise that "by the end of my second term, we will have the first permanent base on the moon." While I don’t fault Gingrich for dreaming and trying to set high standards and goals, I can’t help but think of the enormous amount of known and unknown variables that significantly deter this accomplishment...continue
