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Leica Announces New Tool to Amplify the Power of Confocal Imaging

Leica Microsystems USA
4 May 2010
Sarah Sarah
Marketing / Sales

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Leica Microsystems has released the first High Content Screening Automation package for confocal research microscopes Leica HCS A. Combining the strength of high-resolution point scanners with the new ingenious LAS AF MATRIX M3 software platform delivers a highly flexible tool for automated imaging in multi dimensions. As the value is more than the sum of its parts, Leica Microsystems enables researchers to customize Leica confocal microscopes according to actual requirements in life science research laboratories.

Basic automation like mosaicing of tissue slides or multiwell plate screening in 2D and 3D are part of the starting packages. More sophisticated demands are satisfied by intelligent microscopy: five new auto foci, single object tracking or automated control of water objectives always deliver excellent results.

As important as to generate thousands of images it is important to consider their storage and analysis. Therefore, the new export formats are compatible to Open Microscopy Environment by OME.TIFF. Standard TIFF-files can be read by any modern image analysis software, too.

“Customize your confocal”, that is the idea Leica Microsystems shared with leading researchers and lead them to create the Computer Aided Microscopy (CAM) interface. By remote control of the imaging process, the detection of rare events like e.g. mitosis phases now becomes reality. Sophisticated algorithms can analyze images on the fly and report the target coordinates to the instrument via the programming interface CAM. Immediately, the pre-scan switches to high-resolution zoom-in mode and starts to image the target cells directly, offering excellent perspectives for a new type of experiments.

Leica HCS A is designed for the core confocal platform systems. Users can choose between the Leica TCS SP5 broadband confocal, the Leica TCS LSI to visualize specimen from micro to macro scale, or the Leica TCS SPE, known for ease of use and robustness. Leica Microsystems offers the right tools to automate research work easily and efficiently.

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Gel Doc / Image AnalysisGel documentation (gel doc) or gel imaging systems are used for the analysis of proteins, antibodies and nucleic acid immobilized in polyacrylamide or agarose gels, membranes or microarrays. Explore a range of a gel imaging systems, densitometers, scanners, transilluminators or UV lamp + CCD cameras for your image analysis solutions. Colorimetric, fluorescent and/or radioisotopic samples can be visualized and documented for further analysis. See gel doc / Image analysis software for quantitative 1D and 2D analysis of your samples. Find the best gel doc / image analysis products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.High-Content ScreeningHigh-content screening (HCS), also known as high-content analysis (HCA), is a high-throughput technique used in drug discovery to identify substances that alter the phenotype of cells. HCS uses fluorescent microscopic imaging and automated image analysis to investigate cellular events such as apoptosis, cell viability, GPCR activation, oxide production, neurite outgrowth, and cell signaling. Find the best fluorescent labeling reagents, cellular assays, and high-content imaging systems in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Robotic InstrumentsRobotic instruments can be used for high-throughput automation of many lab processes. Such processes use instruments for assays like cell based assays and ELISA, for sample preparation like shakers, centrifuges and incubators, and for analysis such as sequencing and western blot analyzers. Useful features of robotic instruments include speed, reproducibility, barcode readers, software and automation.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.Electron MicroscopyElectron microscopes (EM) are used to create high-resolution images of samples at the nanoscale by means of an accelerated beam of electrons as a source of illumination. Types of electron microscope include scanning electron microscopes (SEM), transmission electron microscopes (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopes (STEM) and cryo-electron microscopes. Focused ion beam (FIB) microscopes are useful for modifying or milling a sample surface with nanometer precision, as well as imaging. Find the best electron microscopes in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.

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Leica Announces New Tool to Amplify the Power of Confocal Imaging