Photon Imager - MacroLens
The MacroLens module was developed by Biospace Lab to open a new window into the world of bioluminescence microscopy and to build the missing link between macroscopic and microscopic for fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging applications.
Correlate quantitative results from whole-animal and microscopic investigationsThe MacroLens module makes it possible to acquire and quantify the expression of bioluminescence or fluorescence signal at higher magnification and resolution using the Photon Imager in vivo optical imaging system. Combining the 5 order linear dynamic range of the Photon Imager with the additional magnification and resolution of the Macro Lens module offers improved quantitative accuracy and repeatability for microscopic investigations. Additionally, the MacroLens module provides reliable quantification at intermediate scales for the imaging of organs and tissues in situ, so potentially avoiding the need for animal sacrifice and tissue sectioning in preparation for microscopy.
Bioluminescence microscopyThe observation of high resolution bioluminescent signals in living animals has so far been
limited to experts able to develop their own custom imaging solutions using off the shelf CCD cameras
attached to standard laboratory microscopes. With the development of the MacroLens module
for the Photon Imager, Biospace Lab has introduced the first fully integrated
system for in vivo bioluminescence microscopy. It offers researchers the following key advantages:
- Unrivalled sensitivity. The intensified CCD camera built into the Photon Imager provides much better sensitivity than any other cooled CCD camera technology and its ability to deliver maximum sensitivity without the need for long exposure times or pixel binning means there is no trade-off in time or spatial resolution; making real-time bioluminescence microscopy with the addition of the Macrolens a reality.
- Easy installation and calibration.Once installed and calibrated by Biospace Lab Engineers, the MacroLens module is easily fitted (or removed) in a matter of minutes by removing the animal stage, sliding the Macrolens into the imaging chamber,attaching two built in cables and the accessory footswitch.
- Macro to micro level for BLI and FLI. Gain maximum flexibility with the ability to image both fluorescence and bioluminescence from the whole animal, tissue, organ or even cellular level.
- Stand alone system. Take advantage of the exceptional all round performance of the Photon Imager for higher resolution imaging, including easy and precise quantification of kinetic events offered by our M3 Vision software.
Many real life applications, such as studying cell invasion and cell migration in Cancer Research
or stem cell implantation experiments, require information gathered at different spatial resolutions.
The MacroLens module offers a practical solution to this challenge:
- Track cells non invasively at the macroscopic level throughout an entire animal
- Assess cell growth, spreading or migration at the level of the organ or at a specific anatomic location
- Focus on smaller groups of cells at the microscopic level
Calcium imaging in Drosophila fly
A transgenic Drosophila fly was imaged at high resolution using the Macrolens option after administration of nicotine, which induces formation of a calcium wave in the fly brain. (Mag: 20x; FOV: 0.9 mm)
(A) Different areas of the brain are activated sequentially.
(B) Time profile analysis of the different areas during the calcium wave.
(C) Movie of nicotine induced calcium response in the Drosophila mushroom bodies
Courtesy of Dr. J.R. Martin, Cellular and molecular neurobiology departement, Alfred Fressard Neurobiology Institute, CNRS, Gif sur Yvette, France.
Fluorescence image acquisition of a mosquito expressing DsRed in its salivary glands and infected with malarial sporozoites expressing GFP captured using a Macrolens equipped Photon Imager. The malaria sporozoites first locate in the insect thorax before migrating to the salivary glands of the mosquito. This migrational response is thought to be facilitated by specific chemo-attractants.
This image clearly shows the presence of GFP expressing parasite in the insects’ abdomen and the DsRed expression in the salivary glands. The dual fluorescence images are overlayed with a bright field image of the mosquito, and the movie shows the images overlayed with different levels of transparency. Click on the image to get a bigger view.
Courtesy of Dr. Shigeto Yoshida, Department of infection and immunity, Jichi Medical school, Saimata, Japan.
Photon Imager - Optional modules
