Carl Zeiss' AxioVision Physiology Module Provides Online Measurements Of Physiological Parameters In Living Cells

The AxioVision Physiology software module from Carl Zeiss enables image capture with a camera and the measurement of physiological parameters in living cells both during microscopic observation (online) and afterwards (offline). The software documents both the images and all major steps of the experiment and makes them available together with the measurement data. In addition to the monochrome AxioCam camera line from Carl Zeiss, cameras from other manufacturers such as Hamamatsu or Roper are available. Combined with the dual camera module, AxioVision also supports two synchronously controlled AxioCam cameras.

The software is mainly used by physiologists, cell biologists, neurobiologists and electrophysiologists. They can determine calcium concentrations or pH values conveniently through ratiometric calculation of fluorescence images after the addition of indicators such as Fura-2 or Indo-1 (emission or excitation ratio imaging). The AxioVision physiology module makes it just as easy and reliable to measure the change in fluorescence intensity over time – particularly of fluorescent proteins – and to analyze the interaction of proteins using the FRET method.

Thanks to the comprehensive system integration of software and hardware, users can plan their experiments with a high level of flexibility. Important experiment parameters such as capturing frequency can be changed during the capture of images. The software supports various, quickly switchable light sources like Colibri or Sutter DG4. Direct software control of external components is possible via TTL signals that can be used flexibly. The direct streaming of the camera data on the hard drive means that the technically possible image capture rate of the cameras can be achieved without limiting the experiment duration.

Manual microscopes such as Axio Observer.A1 and the AxioVision Physiology module are ideal entry-level solutions for physiological measurement stations. The physiology software can be perfectly combined with the Cell Observer microscope system based on the Axio Observer.Z1. For electrophysiological measuring stations, the physiology software combined with Axio Examiner – the new fixed stage microscope from Carl Zeiss – provides maximum flexibility and performance.

About Carl Zeiss
Carl Zeiss MicroImaging, Inc., a subsidiary of Carl Zeiss, Inc., offers microscopy solutions and systems for research, laboratories, routine and industrial applications. In addition, Carl Zeiss MicroImaging markets microscopy and digital pathology systems for the clinical market, as well as spectral sensors for industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Since1846, Carl Zeiss has remained committed to enabling science and technology to go beyond what man can see. Today, Carl Zeiss is a global leader in the optical and opto-electronic industries. With 11,249 current employees in the Group and offices in over 30 countries, Carl Zeiss is represented in more than 100 countries with production centers in Europe, North America, Central America and Asia. For more information on the breadth of solutions offered by Carl Zeiss MicroImaging, please visit www.zeiss.com/micro.

SOURCE: Carl Zeiss MicroImaging, Inc.