Confocal Microscopy
High quality, cost-efficient reagents for LIVE cell imaging...
In Confocal Microscopy, a highly-focused scanning light beam probes a narrow depth of field without the additional out-of-focus signal, for high resolution imaging. In tissue sections, a single plane can be imaged. Further layers or "Z-stacks" can be acquired to add 3-D depth.
Confocal microscopy is usually performed with fluorescent labelling techniques: co-transfected fusion proteins e.g. GFP, fluorochrome-labelled antibodies or morphological stains for mitochondria or nuclei. It is desirable to combine fluorophores which avoid spectral overlaps.
It is possible to produce detailed cell morphology, studying events like apoptosis, translocations, mitosis and proliferation. Cells can be located by staining nuclei with a DNA-specific dye, some revealing nuclear architecture / chromatin structure and even cell cycle position.
Live cell imaging, following events in real-time is being used more frequently. Photobleach-resistant fluorophores increase the number of useful images. UV excitation can, however, causes cell damage.
Adherent cells are mainly used, since these cells are not motile or subject to gravity. There is an increasing need to study LIVE, non-adherent or suspension cells e.g. leukocytes.
Links to further information
- Email: enquiry@biostatus.com
- Telephone: +44 1509 558163
- Fax: +44 1509 651061