Multi-dimensional imaging of live or fixed biological samples (cells, tissues, embryos, and even organisms) has become one of the most popular techniques in cell biology. The Ultra
VIEW Live Cell Imaging Confocal Scanner from Perking Elmer, a leader in Health Sciences and Photonics, is a versatile instrument that can be used for a wide variety of samples, labels, applications and experimental conditions (live and fixed specimens). UltraVIEW LCI is ideal for confocal live cell imaging applications and it offers the possibility of using a wide range of fluorescent proteins and dyes in multi-labeling/multi-dimensional experiments.
All UltraVIEW systems are comprised of a confocal scanner, various laser illumination sources (3 or 5 lines), wavelength controls (filter or AOTF), a CCD detector, and acquisition/analysis software. The system is compatible with a wide range of inverted or upright microscopes. In my case, I have an inverted Nikon TE 2000. Additional modules can be purchased and integrated into the system such as the PhotoKinesis system that enable Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP). The UltraVIEW system is a dual spinning (Nipkow) disk based confocal system that offers important advantages due to its increases speed and reduced photobleaching and phototoxicity.
All these features allow the researcher a longer exposure of living samples to laser light and longer experimental time. The UltraView system has an increased frame capture rate and allows the researcher to study very low levels of fluorescence emission and offers a higher sensitivity and improved precision in image capturing. Its performance for imaging fast processes or highly photosensitive events is unsurpassed. This instrument can acquire images with a very high speed, high sensitivity, high resolution and an excellent x-y-z resolving power, providing ultra-clear confocal images of single focal planes. The camera acquisition parameters such as speed, wavelength, and z position are software-mediated. The scan speeds encompass a wide range, from 20 frames per second to 1 frame in 10 seconds. Confocal images are captured as a stack of images (.stk file type) at different focal points and can be used later for analysis or to make movies. For software, I use Metamorph which enables both the control of image acquisition as well as the manipulation and analysis of data.
FRAP, FLIP and photoswitching techniques are important for modern research. Thus Perkin Elmer introduced the PhotoKinesis accessory as either an upgrade to an existing UltraVIEW ERS or UltraVIEW RS system or as a purchase withUltraVIEW ERS system. The setting in my lab does not include it, but it is useful that it can be adapted to an existing system as we can add it at a later time if we need to do FRAP or FLIP.
The UltraVIEW ERS system is based on the new electron multiplication CCD (EMCCD) technology with an enhanced confocal scanning unit that allows a fast acquisition rate without degrading image quality.
The technical support from Perkin Elmer’s team is excellent. The technical representatives are very knowledgeable and always helpful. They go out of their way to ensure that all our problems, concerns, and questions are promptly answered.
I have used Perkin Elmer’s UltraVIEW Live Cell Imaging (LCI) confocal scanner to obtain live imaging of Drosophila embryos expressing various GFP-tagged proteins as well as for visualization of Drosophila embryos injected with various rhodamine-labeled proteins. This scanner enabled me to obtain live images over a long range of time with no visible damage to the specimen as well as to obtain very high quality images that were used to make movies that won several awards from the American Society for Cell Biology, some of which are now in their Image & Video Library.