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Bio-Rad Introduces the New ZOE™ Fluorescent Cell Imager

Bio-Rad
29 Sept 2014
Sarah Thomas
Associate Editor

Product news

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. has announced the launch of the ZOE™ Fluorescent Cell Imager, one of the first cell imaging systems able to deliver the power of microscopy in a system that is as easy to use as a tablet. The system includes three fluorescent channels and brightfield to simplify fluorescence imaging for cell culture applications.

Fluorescence microscopes are used in traditional cell culture workflows to confirm transfection efficiency and visualize fluorescent proteins. Performing this task requires training and the process can be time-consuming. Fluorescence microscopes can take 15 minutes to warm up and the systems are often located in a separate facility that is outfitted with a darkroom.

However, the ZOE Fluorescent Cell Imager’s LEDs are instantly ready to use after the power is turned on. Researchers simply place their culture dish onto ZOE’s stage and then access all controls using the LCD touch screen, tapping the screen to capture images and pinching with their fingers to zoom up to 20x magnification. Outfitted with a light shield, ZOE enables users to perform fluorescence experiments in ambient light on their lab benchtop, eliminating the need for a dedicated darkroom.

“Users report they turn on ZOE and know immediately what to do, even those who are imaging cell fluorescence for the first time,” said Veronika Kortisova-Descamps, Bio-Rad product manager, Cell Biology.

Additional Benefits of ZOE
• Multichannel fluorescence — detection of fluorescence emission at blue, green, and red wavelengths is accomplished with three fluorescence channels optimized for commonly used fluorophores
• Large field of view — motorized stage and large field of view (0.70 mm2) enable researchers to see more of their sample, faster
• Manipulate and store images on hard drive — users can merge images for co-expression experiments and store up to 12 GB of image files for export to a USB flash drive

Links

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Fluorescence SpectroscopyFluorometers and spectrofluorometers (also called fluorescence spectrometers) are used to measure the intensity and wavelength of fluorescent light emitted from a sample after excitation by illumination. Spectrofluorometers utilize monochromators to select the desired wavelengths, whereas filter fluorometers employ a set of filters. Spectrofluorometers for measuring steady-state fluorescence and lifetime fluorescence (or time-resolved fluorescence) are available, as well as fluorescence microscopes and microplate readers. Find the best fluorescence spectroscopy products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Cell / Tissue CultureCell culture or tissue culture is used to study the biology of cells or tissues and to isolate cellular products in an environment which can be manipulated and well defined. Accurately control your culture environment with bioreactors or culture incubators, bind your cells to a surface or together with an extracellular matrix. Distinguish cell types with differential media or proliferate cells with certain characteristics using selective media. Enrich your media with supplements such as growth factors, sera and vitamins. Find the best cell and tissue culture products, kits and equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Cell Lines Stem Cells and Primary CellsPrimary cell cultures, established cell lines and stem cells are vital for <i>in vitro</i> and <i>ex vivo</i> experimentation. High-quality cells, optimized for your applications, alongside optimized cell substrates, growth medium and supplements, are critical for experimental success. Explore a range of cells suitable for your applications, including isogenic cell lines, competent cells, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell lines, fungal/bacterial/mammalian cell lines, stem cells and cancer cell lines. Find the best cells for your research in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Protein PurificationProtein purification is a vital step in drug discovery, therapeutics, biotech and life science research. The purification process typically involves subcellular or membrane protein extraction with cell lysis kits, separation of proteins from cell debris by filtration or spin columns, and the isolation of proteins of interest from other proteins and impurities with affinity purification (including fusion protein tags and antibody binding proteins A, G and L), immunoprecipitation or chromatographic methods, such as ion exchange, size exclusion and immobilized metal affinity chromatography. All purification methods come in multiple formats for your laboratory needs, including agarose or magnetic beads, resins, columns and filter plates. Find the best protein purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Gene Expression and Molecular CloningMolecular cloning is a set of techniques that utilizes vectors to transfer recombinant DNA into host cells and is an essential tool for investigating the expression of genes and proteins in bacterial or mammalian cells. A variety of vectors optimized for gene cloning and expression in a range of host organisms are available, alongside competent cells for genetic replication. Here, you can explore a range of molecular tools, high-quality genomic and cDNA libraries, premade clones, transformation and transfection reagents and mutagenesis or gene expression detection assays and expression arrays. Find the best gene expression and molecular cloning products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Light MicroscopyLight microscopes or optical microscopes are used to visualize microscale objects under magnification, including cells, clinical specimens and materials. Lab equipment for light microscopy includes confocal microscopes, fluorescence microscopes, zoom and stereo microscopes. Microscope slides and imaging reagents are available for visualizing samples, as well as various microscope stages and incubators for large or temperature-sensitive samples. Find the best light microscopes in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.FluorescenceThe emission of fluorescence occurs when a photon of energy is supplied to a fluorescent chemical compound by an external source, causing it to become excited. Fluorescence can be detected and measured for different purposes using microplate readers, fluorescence microscopes, fluorescence scanners, and flow cytometers.Cell ImagingCell imaging can be achieved using a number of techniques including confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and light sheet microscopy.Cell BiologyCell biology studies the structure, function, and behavior of cells. Understanding cellular processes is essential for research in areas such as cancer biology, stem cell research, and neurobiology. Techniques like flow cytometry, microscopy, and cell culture enable researchers to explore cellular mechanisms in detail. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best cell biology tools and equipment, compare products, check customer reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.

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