Release 4.6 of the AxioVision FRET microscopy software from Carl Zeiss allows the comprehensive and fast evaluation of FRET measurements

Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH has now incorporated numerous enhancements in the AxioVision FRET software (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer). It combines all current methods of FRET measurement by using different correction techniques or acceptor bleaches.

This makes it possible to also determine the FRET portion in FRET-coded color images. In addition, the evaluation can already be performed online during the capture of time series images.

The FRET method allows the determination of the energy transfer portion between two closely adjacent protein molecules or the measurement of the distance between two closely adjacent protein molecules below the microscope resolution. It is used to determine quantitative temporal and spatial information about the bonding and interaction between proteins, lipids, enzymes, DNS and RNS.

The software enhancements will be quickly appreciated by users – primarily cell and developmental biologists – in their daily work. For example, AxioVision FRET 4.6 facilitates the selection of the optimal method for the respective examinations. This means that the often very time-consuming programming of the work routines and computations is now a thing of the past. In addition, the measuring regions can now be exactly positioned at the sites of the FRET action; in the past, this was only possible with approximate exactness in the gray scale images. Another new feature is the possibility of observing the FRET activity during the experiment being performed.

Further benefits include the automatic capture of all required time series images (donor, acceptor and FRET) and the extremely simple operation via a few keys in six logical control windows. The system can also be used for capturing standard fluorescent photos. The program additionally contains all functions of AxioVision LE.

In combination with the motorized ZEISS Axio Imager or Axio Observer microscopes, the AxioVision FRET software provides a convenient tool for FRET examinations. However, it can also be used with the motorized Axioplan 2 Imaging, Axioskop or Axiovert 200 stands. Finally, it can also be utilized on manual fluorescence microscopes with the appropriate filter sets.