Nikon has announced that its Eclipse TI series of inverted microscopes can capture images at two different wavelengths simultaneously, using dual cameras.
Nikon said the system is ideal for Fret and the capture of rapid dynamic cellular events using calcium or other ion-targeted probes, ratio probes, dual emission ratiometric dyes and so on.
The cameras are positioned on the Eclipse TI's back and side ports.
Registration between the two cameras is assured on installation to ensure that no information is lost during imaging.
No further realignment or specialised alignment software is required.
Even when the intensity difference between wavelengths is large, high-quality images can be captured by adjusting camera sensitivity for each wavelength.
Nikon has partnered with Andor to offer its full range of high-performance Ixon and Luca EMCCD cameras.
The IxonEM 897 back-illuminated EMCCD camera offers high sensitivity, low noise and rapid frame rates giving speed advantages in Fret applications.
The cameras are optimised for use with Nikon's NIS-Elements software for image capture, processing and analysis.
NIS-Elements C for confocal microscope applications includes Fret analysis software as standard.
The dual camera system has obvious advantages when compared with single camera acquisition, allowing simultaneous full frame capture of two different wavelengths without dividing the CCD chip and compromising image resolution; and removing the need for filter switching, which normally constrains speed of sequential image acquisition or can lose valuable information.
The Nikon Eclipse TI series offers improved system speed, flexibility and efficient multi-mode microscopy; and, coupled with Andor specialised Ixon cameras, provides a fully integrated microscope system suitable for high-end research and rapid live cell imaging.
