Olympus adds further advanced capabilities to the
FluoView FV1000 confocal laser scanning microscope

Olympus has announced that its FluoView FV1000 confocal laser scanning microscope (cLSM) and FV1000MPE Multiphoton ranges can now be fitted with the PicoQuant module for Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) and Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS). FLIM and FCS are advanced methods for measuring minute changes in fluorescence that occur in cells over very short periods of time. FLIM is often used to accurately determine factors such as: O2, H2O or Ca²⁺ concentration; intracellular signal transduction; as well as molecular structure and dynamics. FCS applications include: molecular association/dissociation; concentration (fL range); kinetic rate constants; as well as in vitro and in vivo intramolecular dynamics.

The addition of FLIM and FCS capabilities further increases the versatility of the Olympus FluoView FV1000 cLSM and ensures that users can bring a new dimension to their research.

The new PicoQuant module available from Olympus enables advanced FLIM and FCS, and is based on time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) using time-tagged time-resolved (TTTR) data handling. This is considered to be the most precise technique with the highest temporal resolution. The unique pulsed diode lasers provide picosecond or femtosecond pulses at high repetition rates from 375 nm - 900 nm with controllable power and pulse frequency. The multichannel version can also perform pulsed interleaved excitation (PIE), and up to four pulsed laser units can be combined into one optical fibre via a coupling unit, making wavelength changes or simultaneous excitation schemes very easy.

The TCSPC data acquisition unit has a very high temporal resolution of 4 ps. Data acquisition is done in the unique TTTR mode in which the temporal information of each detected photon is preserved, which allows very sophisticated offline analyses. Two different detector technologies are available in either single- or dual-channels, providing greater system flexibility. Photon-multiplier tubes (PMTs) offer excellent properties for FLIM techniques, whereas the higher detection efficiency of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) makes them ideal for FCS. Furthermore, for measurements that require high detection efficiencies, two types of SPADs are available. These detectors ensure the system has the versatility to resolve fluorescence lifetimes well below 100 picoseconds and perform 'online FLIM' depending on the setup in use.

All the components of the PicoQuant module are controlled via the SymPho Time software. This easy to use software also provides the powerful data collection, handling and analysis processes required to maximise any FCS or FLIM technique. The software also supports a number other related procedures including fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy (FLCS), fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and PIE-FRET.

FLIM
In fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence intensity is displayed using a false colour scale, whereas for FLIM the fluorescence lifetime is used. It can be performed with just one detector and is not affected by fluctuations in the fluorescence intensity. There is also no influence from different fluorophore concentrations or sample thicknesses and therefore further structural insight can often be gained. FLIM also enables discrimination between fluorophores with similar emission spectra (e.g. GFP and YFP) and from autofluorescence and can be combined very successfully with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). FLIM can therefore be used to determine: Oxygen, water or Ca²⁺ concentration, pH, distances in the 'nm' range, intracellular signal transduction, as well as molecular structure and dynamics and other factors.

FCS
FCS can be used to measure molecular properties, diffusion and concentrations in solution at the single molecule level. It is a highly precise and versatile method which has demonstrated its great potential for many different applications and can also be used for luminescent signals. The method records the temporal changes in the fluorescence emission intensity caused by single fluorophores passing through the excitation volume. These intensity changes can be quantified in their strength and duration by the temporal autocorrelation of the recorded intensity signals. Typical FCS applications include: molecular association and dissociation, sample concentration in the 'fL' range, investigation of complex fluorophore diffusion, conformational dynamics, kinetic rate constants, enzyme dynamics and intramolecular dynamics in vitro and in vivo. For further information, e-mail: microscopy@olympus-europa.com or view website: www.microscopy.olympus.eu   Refer to page 209

Qualoupe LIMS adds specialist software
applications to support commercial contract laboratories

London-based Two Fold Software Limited, has added specialist application software to support the requirements of commercial contract laboratories.  Two Fold Software's easy-to-use Qualoupe LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) solution has been tailored to deliver significant benefits to contract laboratories.   

The new software enhancement has been developed to enable fast and accurate production of invoices thereby allowing contract laboratories to optimise their cash flow and to efficiently control the recording and storage of results. This enables the contract laboratory to attain and maintain UKAS accreditation, whilst also managing the quality of services being offered to customers. 

The new Qualoupe LIMS solution gives contract laboratories a competitive edge by featuring flexible reporting capabilities which enable customer specific reports and formats that provide trending and graphical analysis of customer data.  Customised data is a key factor in helping a contract laboratory to extend its services and build closer relationships with its clients.

The software enhancements also enable customers to submit samples remotely online which saves contract laboratory time and allows the customer the benefit of a faster service by also giving them remote access to sample results if required.

Many of the new software enhancements have been introduced to help a contract laboratory achieve significant time savings and to offer a faster, more accurate, efficient service without needing to increase staff levels to accommodate additional customers or new value added services.  The software also enables a contract laboratory to improve competitiveness and profitability by offering more flexible pricing options. 

The easy-to-use Qualoupe LIMS solution was developed to drive major productivity gains, improved quality management and reporting flexibility while greatly simplifying LIMS use and very significantly lowering running costs.
The Qualoupe LIMS features an intuitive, configurable user interface designed to enhance the user experience, revolutionise work flow and remove the complexity of running a LIMS. 

Qualoupe offers full audit trails and simplifies compliance with UKAS, FDA, ISO 17025, MRC, GLP and GMP.  The system's software is optimised to share data across and between an organisation's sites and supports both manual and automated data capture. For further information view website: www.twofold-software.com

The Olympus cellSens dimensions deconvolution
solution module for de-blurring in advanced life science imaging

The Olympus cellSens deconvolution solution module employs a constrained iterative (CI) algorithm to remove out-of-focus blur in advanced life science imaging. This high-speed operation provides extremely sharp images, as well as near confocal quality, with the ability to correct for any spherical aberrations. Integrating seamlessly with the cellSens Dimensions software, outstanding performance and quality are guaranteed.

Using a specialised and improved algorithm developed exclusively for Olympus, the deconvolution solution module provides advanced, high-speed image restoration. Maximising modern PC computing capabilities, it leverages multi-core processor architectures to provide an extremely powerful deconvolution facility, enabling the sharpening of even the most blurred images. Consequently, users can obtain a fast and easy-to-use, comprehensive deconvolution, removing the complex parameter adjustment steps required with other advanced de-blurring algorithms.

The resulting high-quality image stacks can be visualised in three dimensions, using the powerful VoxelViewer to display structures and ISO projections via a simple click of the mouse. This enables more in-depth analysis, with the capability to display stereo adaptations of the image. Furthermore, the online de-blur functionality enables users to visualise the deconvoluted images during the live operation of the camera.

A broad range of image types can be deconvolved using the Olympus deconvolution solution module, including fluorescence, confocal and brightfield. With the additional capability to perform blind deconvolution, the software is able to use a theoretical point spread function (PSF), adapting it to the specific data. Furthermore, the PSF calculation can be saved and applied when performing subsequent deconvolutions. In addition, images obtained from non-Olympus systems are also easily imported, making it a highly versatile imaging solution.

cellSens Dimensions
Designed to offer control and processing for microscope-based experimental systems, the cellSens Dimensions 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 functionality, 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, e-mail: microscopy@olympus-europa.com or view website: www.microscopy.olympus.eu   Refer to page 210

OLYMPUS Stream Solutions provide you
with the perfect recipe to determine steel quality

The OLYMPUS Stream Solutions enable you to easily capture and analyse any image for your niche applications quickly, precisely and in compliance with common international standards. Detailed in an educational demo video, the Grain Sizing Solutions are easy to use for beginners and experienced users alike, enabling you to accurately determine the quality of your steel. The Solutions are optional component to the OLYMPUS Stream software, which provides you with a completely intuitive workflow interface to accurately image and measure the microstructure of any sample.

For further information, e-mail: microscopy@olympus-europa.com or view website: www.microscopy.olympus.eu   Refer to page 210