http://www.microscopy-news.com/ Microscopy-News.com - Portal for Press and Products Copyright 2010 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:43:02 +0000 Contentpapst 2009.2 (http://www.sandoba.de/) de-de Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000 New Integrated Solutions for Capturing, Managing, and Analyzing Virtual Data September 6, 2010 - Wetzlar, Germany. With its unprecedented scanning speed and top-quality on-screen imaging, the Leica SCN400 Slide Scanner has already set new standards in virtual imaging. Through the acquisition of Genetix Ltd. at the beginning of this year, Leica Microsystems is now able to considerably expand its solutions offering. With the software solutions Ariol and SlidePath, Leica Microsystems now adds the ability to store, manage, analyze, and report on digital images created with the Leica SCN400 Slide Scanner or the Leica DM6000 B Research Microscope. High throughput solution for in vitro diagnostics: Ariol on the Leica SCN400 Combining Ariol with the Leica SCN400 Slide Scanner provides a complete solution for labo­ratories dealing with a high volume of slides. The product is a high throughput solution for biomarker assessment. Ariol on Leica SCN400 combines leading scanning technology with advanced analysis experience. Ariol on Leica SCN400 combines leading scanning technology with advanced analysis experience, giving the customer the good feeling to get the best product in all respects. From sample to result, Leica Microsystems is striving to provide the total histology solution and be the pathologist’s integrated partner in every step of the process. Web-enabled image handling and e-learning: SlidePath on the Leica SCN400 SlidePath software on the Leica SCN400 Slide Scanner opens the world of image and data handling in a flexible and powerful web-enabled solution. With the Digital Image Hub (DIH) module from SlidePath, Leica Microsystems provides the complete end-to-end solution for virtual microscopy, especially optimized to provide rapid whole slide imaging coupled with an online management solution that can handle multiple formats including DICOM and other standard imaging formats. DIH is also designed for use in research under the guideline of regulatory bodies, such as preclinical research or toxicological studies, which profit from multiple features especially designed for this customer group. Furthermore, DIH can be combined with diverse specialized software modules from SlidePath, such as a special module for TMA management – called OpTMA – or the Digital SlideBox, which provides tools for e-learning. Pathology workstation for in vitro diagnostics: Ariol on the Leica DM6000 B The in vitro diagnostics software Ariol on the Leica DM6000 B Research Microscope creates a perfect pathology workstation for the assessment of clinical brightfield and fluorescent biomarkers. The system integrates seamlessly into the pathologist’s workflow with the means to digitize whole slides or regions of interest. With this solution customers enter the world of Virtual Microscopy while staying with the highest possible flexibility in terms of hardware configurations. The modules Hersight, ERsight, PRsight and PathVysion are available in the US for in vitro diagnostic use. Leica Microsystems is a leading global designer and producer of innovative, high-tech, precision optical systems for the analysis of microstructures. It is one of the market leaders in each of its business areas: Microscopy, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy with corresponding Imaging Systems, Specimen Preparation, and Medical Equipment. The company manufactures a broad range of products for numerous applications requiring microscopic imaging, measurement, and analysis. It also offers system solutions for life science including biotechnology and medicine, research and development of raw materials, and industrial quality assurance. The company is represented in over 100 countries with 13 manufacturing facilities in 8 countries, sales and service organizations in 19 countries and an international network of dealers. The international management is headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany. http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/leica-microsystems-extends-its-product-portfolio-in-virtual-microscopy.html http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/leica-microsystems-extends-its-product-portfolio-in-virtual-microscopy.html Other Pressrelaises Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000 Salisbury, UK, 7th September 2010: - Munich-based company Coriolis PharmaServices GmbH is using NanoSight’s LM-20 nanoparticle characterization system to investigate the aggregation behaviour of protein drugs and vaccines. Coriolis is a contract research organization for the formulation and analytics of pharmaceutical proteins and vaccines for their customers from national and international pharmaceutical companies. A special focus during formulation development is set on the characterization of subvisible particles and aggregation. The main application requirement for the NanoSight system is to measure the number and the size distribution of aggregates in pharmaceutical protein formulations and of vaccines, e.g. virus-like particles. The NanoSight LM 20 system in use at Coriolis PharmaServices Protein aggregation is a major stability issue and can result in reduced biological activity and enhanced immunogenicity of the product. Therefore, it is important to analyze the aggregation behaviour of pharmaceutical proteins and develop methods and formulations that avoid aggregation already at the beginning of formulation development. Coriolis uses a variety of instrumental techniques to quantify and size aggregates, depending on the size range of interest. Dynamic light scattering is ideal to analyze monodisperse systems, e.g. 5-20 nm range, but once the aggregates start to form and grow (in the hundreds of nm range), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) from NanoSight gives a real distribution picture. For samples in the µm range, microflow imaging (MFI) and light obscuration are used. In contrast to DLS, NTA works well with polydisperse samples giving an estimation of the total concentration of particles and the possibility to distinguish different size populations, e.g. 60 and 100 nm particles. This is not possible by DLS due to the poor resolution. Speaking at the recent National Biotech Conference 2010 in San Francisco, the Coriolis team under Dr Michael Wiggenhorn reported that to achieve a comprehensive characterization of nanoscale particulates in protein formulations, it is important to combine techniques that operate in that range. However, the ability of NTA to provide a real-time image of samples permits the analysis of potentially occurring difficulties during the measurement which is not possible using DLS. To learn more about nanoparticle characterization using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis, NTA, please visit the company website and register for the latest issue of NanoTrail, the company’s electronic newsletter. For more about Coriolis, please see their website. For further information Please contact NanoSight direct or their marketing agency, NetDyaLog Limited: NanoSight Limited Minton Park London Road Amesbury SP4 7RT T +44 (0) 1980 676060 F +44 (0) 1980 624703 www.nanosight.com jeremy.warren@nanosight.com NetDyaLog Limited 39 de Bohun Court Saffron Walden Essex CB10 2BA T +44 (0) 1799 521881 M +44 (0) 7843 012997 www.netdyalog.com jezz@netdyalog.com http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/coriolis-pharmaservice-chooses-nanosight-to-study-the-aggregation-of-protein-drugs-and-vaccines-.html http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/coriolis-pharmaservice-chooses-nanosight-to-study-the-aggregation-of-protein-drugs-and-vaccines-.html Other Pressrelaises Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000 Berlin, 7th September 2010: JPK Instruments, a world-leading manufacturer of nanoanalytic instrumentation in life sciences and soft matter announces the Vortis™ Advanced, the new standard in SPM Control systems with the lowest noise and highest signal speeds seen to date. Providing the highest performance of electronics controller for scanning probe microscopes, SPM, is one of the driving forces behind JPK's development programs. Recent engineering breakthroughs have enabled the elimination of DSP technology. JPK has utilized the new Power-PC hardware with the latest FPGA architecture to deliver the highest digital performance. Vortis Advanced is now available with all of JPK's SPM systems: the NanoWizard® 3, the ForceRobot® 300 and the CellHesion® 200 now deliver even more superior results. With fast signal acquisition and control, advanced feedback and analysis are the keys for a modular and ultra flexible controller. The lowest noise levels are achieved using a new grounding concept, intelligent signal conditioning, temperature stabilized oscillators and passive cooling. JPK's new Vortis™ Advanced SPM Control System Vortis Advanced has been designed so the builder of their home-designed and built SPM heads may utilize these performance benefits. It comes with a large number of user accessible analog and digital signal channels, fast responding lock-in amplifiers and high end piezo drivers with closed loop control. Flexibility of design gives the user the ability to work with different probe configurations requiring different levels of control. For example, STM systems, systems using tuning forks and high frequency cantilevers all need very specific control, all of which are delivered by the Vortis Advanced. Synchronisation with external instruments including spectrometers, potentiostats and optical detection devices is provided too. Control systems with the best hardware still require another vital element, powerful and modular software. JPK supplies the new package, SPMControl v4 to deliver ease of use plus the ability for user customized experiments through the implementation of many powerful data analysis and processing routines such as multi-channel oscilloscope functionality, advanced filtering, batch processing and channel overlay. JPK develops, engineers and manufactures instrumentation in Germany to the world-recognised standards of German precision engineering, quality and functionality. For further details of the NanoWizard®3 and its many applications, please visit the JPK web site. About JPK Instruments AG JPK Instruments AG is a world-leading manufacturer of nanoanalytic instruments - particularly atomic force microscope (AFM) systems and optical tweezers - for a broad range of applications reaching from soft matter physics to nano-optics, from surface chemistry to cell and molecular biology. From its earliest days applying atomic force microscope (AFM) technology, JPK has recognized the opportunities provided by nanotechnology for transforming life sciences and soft matter research. This focus has driven JPK’s success in uniting the worlds of nanotechnology tools and life science applications by offering cutting-edge technology and unique applications expertise. Headquartered in Berlin and with direct operations in Dresden, Cambridge (UK), Singapore and Tokyo, JPK maintains a global network of distributors and support centers and provides on the spot applications and service support to an ever-growing community of researchers. For further information, please contact JPK direct or their marketing partners, NetDyaLog, who will also provide high resolution images for your use. JPK Instruments AG Bouchéstrasse 12 Haus 2, Aufgang C Berlin 12435 Germany T +49 30 5331 12070 F +49 30 5331 22555 www.jpk.com dammermann@jpk.com NetDyaLog Limited 39 de Bohun Court Saffron Walden Essex CB10 2BA T +44 (0) 1799 521881 M +44 (0) 7843 012997 www.netdyalog.com jezz@netdyalog.com http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/jpk-instruments-announce-the-vortis-advanced-fully-digital-spm-control-station-.html http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/jpk-instruments-announce-the-vortis-advanced-fully-digital-spm-control-station-.html Other Pressrelaises Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000 Sept. 2, 2010 - Bethesda, MD - The ProScan III is now fully controlled using Image-Pro version 7 and newer. This exciting new support makes it possible to experience an advancement in microscope automation for the new compact and modular designed ProScan III system from Prior Scientific. The ProScan III provides a modular approach to minimize the footprint of the controller occupying only 177x177mm with its stylish cubic design. The base unit is designed to accommodate a three axis system, (e.g., a stage and focus), with additional functionality being added to the unit via modular sections which allow for easy expansion. Image-Pro 7, using the hardware control interface, Scope-Pro, seamlessly integrates this device into complex multi-dimensional acquisitions utilizing only a single axis, or many axes such as a motorized stage, focus motor, two filter wheels, and up to three shutters. The new hardware compatibility included with all Plus versions of Image-Pro 7, using Scope-Pro, make it possible to automate simple and advanced routines either operated manually or by using Image-Pro's exceptional macro scripting language. Macro writers have an opportunity to create fully automated experiments using the motorized stage system. The supported versions include Plus, Inspector, MDA, 3D, and AMS. This driver is included with every Plus version of Image-Pro Plus 7.0.1 and can be accessed from the Scope-Pro Hardware Configuration or can also be accessed from the support site using the following link http://support.mediacy.com/drivers/scpdvrs/test/scopedrivers.asp For more information from Prior: www.prior.com/productinfo_auto_motorized_proscan.html About Image-Pro Plus Used by researchers worldwide, Image-Pro Plus combines the latest tools for scientific and industrial image analysis into one intuitive software package. Reflecting over twenty years of development, evolution, and user feedback, Image-Pro Plus has the tools needed to easily capture, enhance, process, measure, and analyze images. About Media Cybernetics Founded in 1981, Media Cybernetics develops image informatics solutions to automate research, development, and quality control processes in life science and industry. The company's products simplify and enhance image-based data collection and analysis to increase the accuracy and productivity of its customers. Image-Pro Plus is the image analysis software used daily by thousands of researchers and engineers in medicine, science, and industry. For more information about Media Cybernetics, visit www.mediacy.com http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/image-pro-7-software-now-supports-the-proscan-iii-controller-h31-from-prior-scientific.html http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/image-pro-7-software-now-supports-the-proscan-iii-controller-h31-from-prior-scientific.html Other Pressrelaises Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000 Date:Thursday, November 04, 2010 - Saturday, November 06, 2010 Location: Fess Parker's Double Tree Resort, Santa Barbara, California, USA Organizer: The Academy of Microscope Enhanced Dentistry, AMED "The Intersection of Macro and Micro Dentistry" will feature lectures from top clinicians in every discipline as well as master classes, corporate forums and pre and post session comprehensive "Hands-On" courses at education facilities along the Pacific coast. Download the 2010 Program or visit www.microscopedentistry.com for more information and registration. http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/amed-9th-annual-meeting-and-scientific-session-the-intersection-of-macro-and-micro-dentistry-november-04---06-2010-santa-barbara-ca.html http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/amed-9th-annual-meeting-and-scientific-session-the-intersection-of-macro-and-micro-dentistry-november-04---06-2010-santa-barbara-ca.html Events Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000 Date: November 13 - 17, 2010 Location: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA, USA Organizer: Society for Neuroscience SfN's annual meeting provides the world's largest forum for neuroscientists to debut research and network with colleagues from around the world. Neuroscience 2010, SfN's 40th annual meeting, is scheduled for Nov. 13-17 in San Diego, CA at the San Diego Convention Center. Through lectures, symposia, workshops, and events, attendees experience innovative neuroscience research. The meeting features thousands of abstracts and provides networking and professional development opportunities. For more information and registration visit http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/neuroscience-2010---40th-annual-meeting-of-the-society-for-neuroscience---november-13---17-2010---san-diego-ca.html http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/neuroscience-2010---40th-annual-meeting-of-the-society-for-neuroscience---november-13---17-2010---san-diego-ca.html Events Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000 Date: November 15 - 18, 2010 Location: Garden State Exhibit Center, Somerset, New Jersey, USA Eastern Analytical Symposium and Exposition (EAS) is the world's leading community for analytical chemists seeking the highest quality education and career development. Our wide variety of technical programs, globally recognized speakers, and large exhibition offer attendees highly applicable job training and an exceptional professional networking experience. At EAS, attendees improve their skills, validate research, interact with peers, experts, and vendors, achieve higher job performance and productivity, and enhance career opportunities. EAS exhibitors access a highly targeted professional group in an environment renowned for its professional networking. This enables higher quality lead generation and stronger customer relationships. EAS is the symposium of choice for analytical chemists, managers, and academicians desiring extraordinary professional development and relationships with noted authorities in the field. Download the Preliminary Program here and visit www.eas.org for more information and registration. http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/2010-eastern-analytical-symposium-and-exposition---november-15-18-2010---somerset-new-jersey-usa.html http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/2010-eastern-analytical-symposium-and-exposition---november-15-18-2010---somerset-new-jersey-usa.html Events Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000 Date: 7-11 February 2011 Venue: John Curtin Medical School, Australian National University Canberra, Australia Hosts: The Centre for Advanced Microscopy – ANU About AMAS The Australian Microbeam Analysis Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the science and practice of all microanalysis techniques for the investigation of ultrastructure and function in condensed and soft matter. AMAS is a special interest group of the Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Society (AMMS). To improve the practice and instrumentation of microbeam analysis in Australia and regionally AMAS holds biennial meetings that by training and dissemination of information, encourage interaction between practising microanalysts. Symposium The symposium for the AMAS XI conference will be held between Wednesday the 9th and Friday the 11th February, 2010. Extended abstracts and posters are invited on the subjects of electron and ion beam microanalysis, or analytical techniques and applications. This includes: • Electron backscattered diffraction • SEM • HRTEM and AEM • Tomography • Ion probe analyis • Electron microprobe analysis • Neutron methods • Synchrotron methods • Forensics • Focussed ion beam • Scanning helium ion microscopy For more information visit http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/amas-xl---the-eleventh-biennial-symposium-und-workshops-7-11-february-2011-canberra-australia.html http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/amas-xl---the-eleventh-biennial-symposium-und-workshops-7-11-february-2011-canberra-australia.html Events Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000 Webinar Date: Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010 11:00am - 12 noon EST Deconvolution of Widefield Fluorescence Microscopy Images Presented by: Brian Northan, Software Engineer, Media Cybernetics Deconvolution has proven to be a powerful new tool for performing high-resolution multi-dimensional imaging of biological specimens. It is used for increasing the sensitivity and improving the resolution of standard widefield microscopes and for improving the resolving capabilities of confocal systems. Attendees of this live, no-cost webinar will learn about the latest technology for performing deconvolution on widefield (non-confocal) microscope images and understand the relative strengths and weaknesses of several popular algorithms. Bring your questions to this live, interactive web-based seminar. • What is deconvolution and how does it work? • Discussion on empirical vs. derived point-spread functions • Uses in fluorescence microscopy • Difference from confocal imaging • Pro and cons- where deconvolution works and where it doesn't • Challenges and advice • A few before/after examples using Image Pro 3D Constructor About the Presenter: Brian Northan is an AutoQuant Software Engineer with Media Cybernetics. He has a Masters Degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. His thesis focused on wavelet and neural network approaches to image compression. Brian has spent 6+ years working on AutoQuant software, with extensive experience applying MLE (maximum likelihood estimation) to biomedical imaging problems including 3D blind deconvolution for light microscopy. For registration visit http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/free-imaging-webinar-deconvolution-of-widefield-fluorescence-microscopy-images---october-5-2010.html http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/free-imaging-webinar-deconvolution-of-widefield-fluorescence-microscopy-images---october-5-2010.html Events Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:57:00 +0000 September 2, 2010 - PASADENA, Calif.—Researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have devised a new technique—using a sheet of carbon just one atom thick—to visualize the structure of molecules. The technique, which was used to obtain the first direct images of how water coats surfaces at room temperature, can also be used to image a potentially unlimited number of other molecules, including antibodies and other biomolecules. A paper describing the method and the studies of water layers appears in the September 3 issue of the journal Science. "Almost all surfaces have a coating of water on them," says James Heath, the Elizabeth W. Gilloon Professor and professor of chemistry at Caltech, "and that water dominates interfacial properties"—properties that affect the wear and tear on that surface. While surface coatings of water are ubiquitous, they are also very tough to study, because the water molecules are "in constant flux, and don't sit still long enough to allow measurements," he says. Atomic force micrograph of a one-atom thick sheet of graphene trapping water on a mica surface. The ice crystals (lightest blue) are the height of a two-water-molecule thick ice crystal. This first layer of water is ice, even at room temperature. At high humidity levels, a second layer of water will coat the first layer, also as ice. At very high humidity levels, additional layers of water will coat the surface as droplets. [Credit: Heath group/Caltech] Quite by accident, Heath and his colleagues developed a technique to pin down the moving molecules, under room-temperature conditions. "It was a happy accident—one that we were smart enough to recognize the significance of," he says. "We were studying graphene on an atomically flat surface of mica and found some nanoscale island-shaped structures trapped between the graphene and the mica that we didn't expect to see." Graphene, which is composed of a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms in a honeycomb-like lattice (like chicken wire, but on an atomic scale), should be completely flat when layered onto an atomically flat surface. Heath and his colleagues—former Caltech graduate student Ke Xu, now at Harvard University, and graduate student Peigen Cao—thought the anomalies might be water, captured and trapped under the graphene; water molecules, after all, are everywhere. To test the idea, the researchers conducted other experiments in which they deposited the graphene sheets at varying humidity levels. The odd structures became more prevalent at higher humidity, and disappeared under completely dry conditions, leading the researchers to conclude that they indeed were water molecules blanketed by the graphene. Heath and his colleagues realized that the graphene sheet was "atomically conformal"—it hugged the water molecules so tightly, almost like shrink wrap, that it revealed their detailed atomic structure when examined with atomic force microscopy. (Atomic force microscopes use a mechanical probe to essentially "feel" the surfaces of objects.) "The technique is dead simple—it's kind of remarkable that it works," Heath says. The method, he explains, "is sort of like how people sputter carbon or gold onto biological cells so they can image them. The carbon or gold fixes the cells. Here, the graphene perfectly templates the weakly adsorbed water molecules on the surface and holds them in place, for up to a couple of months at least." Using the technique, the researchers revealed new details about how water coats surfaces. They found that the first layer of water on mica is actually two water molecules thick, and has the structure of ice. Once that layer is fully formed, a second, two-molecule-thick layer of ice forms. On top of that, "you get droplets," Heath says. "It's truly amazing that the first two adsorbed layers of water form ice-like microscopic islands at room temperature," says Xu. "These fascinating structures are likely important in determining the surface properties of solids, including, for example, lubrication, adhesion, and corrosion." The researchers have since successfully tested other molecules on other types of atomically flat surfaces—such flatness is necessary so the molecules don't nestle into imperfections in the surface, distorting their structure as measured through the graphene layer. "We have yet to find a system for which this doesn't work," says Heath. He and his colleagues are now working to improve the resolution of the technique so that it could be used to image the atomic structure of biomolecules like antibodies and other proteins. "We have previously observed individual atoms in graphene using the scanning tunneling microscope," says Cao. "Similar resolution should also be attainable for graphene-covered molecules." "We could drape graphene over biological molecules—including molecules in at least partially aqueous environments, because you can have water present—and potentially get their 3-D structure," Heath says. It may even be possible to determine the structure of complicated molecules, like protein–protein complexes, "that are very difficult to crystallize," he says. Whereas the data from one molecule might reveal the gross structure, data from 10 will reveal finer features—and computationally assembling the data from 1,000 identical molecules might reveal every atomic nook and cranny. If you imagine that graphene draped over a molecule is sort of like a sheet thrown over a sleeping cat on your bed, Heath explains, having one image of the sheet-covered lump—in one orientation—"will tell you that it's a small animal, not a shoe. With 10 images, you can tell it's a cat and not a rabbit. With many more images, you'll know if it's a fluffy cat—although you won't ever see the tabby stripes." The work in the paper, "Graphene Visualizes the First Water Adlayers on Mica at Ambient Conditions," was funded by the United States Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences. Source: California Institute of Technology http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/caltech-chemists-develop-simple-technique-to-visualize-atomic-scale-structures.html http://www.microscopy-news.com/news/caltech-chemists-develop-simple-technique-to-visualize-atomic-scale-structures.html Other Pressrelaises