The first differential interference contrast method to allow the use of plastic culture vessels for microscopic examinations
Carl Zeiss is introducing what it says is the first differential interference contrast method to allow the use of plastic culture vessels for microscopic examinations.
Called Plasdic, the innovative technology eliminates the need to use expensive and labour intensive glass dishes and allows cell and molecular biologists to culture cells under optimum conditions.
Unlike the costly Normarski DIC method on which it is based, Plasdic works without a special condenser or compensation prism.
The object is illuminated with natural, non-polarised light that is polarised linearly as it passes in front of the DIC prism.
A single slit diaphragm in the condenser and downstream analyser is sufficient for analysis.
Compared to the Hoffman contrast method, which is based on the principle of inclined illumination and relies on difficult and error-prone contrast adjustment, and Nomarski DIC, Plasdic is quick and simple.
Contrast is easily adjusted using the Plasdic slider and the diaphragm does not need to be centred or changed after changing the objective.
Plasdic also gives a much greater depth of focus than Nomarski DIC.
This greatly enhances the routine observations of living objects, especially those that lie in thick proximity or form groups and which account for approximately 85-95% of a cell's image information.
It also has important implications for micromanipulation treatments such as intracytoplasmic cperm injection (Icsi).
Plasdic makes Icsi more secure and accurate because the high depth of focus gives better recognition of cell details, providing sufficient information for an optimum overview and safe micromanipulation.
All the steps can be performed easily, from assessing the quality of oocytes and sperms to fertilisation control and the Icsi procedure.
"Plasdic is a perfect tool for cellular and molecular biology laboratories at universities, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and institutes for reproductive medicine," says Aubrey Lambert, marketing manager at Carl Zeiss UK.
"Plasdic reveals specific cell characteristics during growth, interaction, apoptosis and death with a clear interference image that is unaffected by regular, inexpensive plastic growth vessels".
Plasdic is available immediately and may be used with the Zeiss Axiovert 40 and Axiovert 200 inverted microscopes.
It requires a coherence diaphragm for the condenser, LD A-Plan objectives, a Plasdic slider and an analyser.
