TESCAN INTRODUCES MULTIMODAL HOLOGRAPHIC MICROSCOPE FOR LIVE CELL IMAGING

The Q-PHASE differs from other systems in that it employs white light to image specimens. Other systems typically use lasers or laser diodes which may cause adverse or undesirable effects, mainly in terms of imaging quality. Furthermore, the Q-PHASE is able to image live cells in real time with no need for contrast stains, thus, avoiding any potential harmful, pathogenic or toxic effect.

While the primary design is for biological applications such as cancer research, other areas where it will be extremely useful include healthcare, pharmacology, biotechnology, metallography, microtechnology, nanotechnology, micro-optics etc.

Using Quantitative phase image (QPI) it can provide information on sample morphology, topography or cell dry-mass distribution. It also provides a very simple and sensitive way for monitoring of cell reactions to treatments e.g. movement, growth, shape etc. The high-quality images produced also enable cell boundaries to be very precisely detected. Other imaging modes such as fluorescence can be added to further extend its analytical capabilities, while incubators maintain cell integrity.

The Q-PHASE was developed in conjunction with Brno University of Tech and has received several awards including the Werner von Siemens Award 2013.

(This article was published in Australian Biochemist, Volume 46, August 2015, No.2)

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