R&D in drug discovery and research is set to benefit with the advances as a potential solution in overcoming longstanding bottlenecks. Large-scale digitalisation and advances in image reconstruction and restoration giving microscopy a new lease of life.
The Olympus MVX10 MacroView, which is being launched at Biotechnica, in Hanover, combines sensitivity at the lowest magnifications with a high magnification zoom for the resolution of fine details within organs, tissues and cells.
This enables researchers to clearly see fluorescent images of whole organisms right down to the cellular level.
From low magnification confirmation of e.g. gene expression in whole organisms, such as zebra fish (D. rerio) or C. elegans, to detailed observation of expression in cells at high magnification, the MVX10 is suitable for a range of uses.
Unlike standard stereo microscopes with two optical paths, the MVX10 is a mono-zoom microscope which uses a single, large-diameter optical path optimised to collect the weak light generated by fluorescence at all magnifications.
This optical path, with specially designed lenses, provides a high NA (Numerical Aperture) enabling the unique brightness and increased resolution, whilst retaining the working distance and wide field of view as all stereomicroscopes.
Specimens can be exposed to fluorescent light for shorter periods, thereby minimising the risk of photo bleaching, or even cell damage.
This is also true at near-infrared wavelengths where the MVX10's transmission properties increase the range of useable fluorophores.
Fully compatible with a wide range of photography units, illuminators and stands, the MVX10 MacroView also optimises recorded fluorescence images at high magnification when using digital cameras.
Alongside this microscope, Olympus unveils a series of environmental control units, ranging from on-stage devices to full system incubators.
In addition, the modular nature of the units allows the user to define individual live cell requirements based on the microscope model.
Furthermore, each parameter can be controlled independently of the others within broad limits.
A range of temperature control and heating devices are available to cover different temperature and vessel requirements, ranging from ambient to 65°C (±0.1 °C). Olympus also make available devices for physiological cooling down to 0°C.
Stage incubators provide a chamber in which CO2 concentration can be carefully controlled between 2-7 per cent.
To reduce evaporation, a humidity control unit can increase the water saturation of the circulating air from ambient up to 70 per cent.
Evaporation can be reduced further still with the use of gas-permeable foil covers, which are available for all vessel formats.
For more accurate control of environmental conditions, Olympus also offers uniform warm air incubators.
These almost completely enclose the entire microscope and its additional components, whilst still allowing easy access to the various controls.
The enclosures also create airflows similar to biological safety cabinets, hence protecting specimens from contamination.