THE LATEST release of MetaMorph software from Molecular Devices enables the online microscopic analysis of cell compartments at nanometre scale, boosting resolution by a factor of more than ten, the company says.
In conventional light microscopy, images of biological details smaller than 250 nanometres appear blurred and, as a result, are virtually impossible to analyse, the company says.
The new MetaMorph ‘super-resolution’ system offers synchronised image acquisition and processing, enabling analysis of details just 20nm across in fixed and live cells, it is claimed.
The advanced real-time image processing expands the limits of optical microscopy, and supports microscope applications including time-lapse filming and 3D imaging.
Super-resolution microscopy involves reconstructing microscope images at a resolution greater the diffraction limit of the objective lens.
Licensed exclusively from the Center for Scientific Research and University of Bordeaux, France, the technology builds on the foundation of MetaMorph software.
The easy to use systems guides researchers through setup, acquisition, and analysis, with a dedicated workspace in the user interface ensuring that relevant configuration and display settings are readily accessible.
Side-by-side displays and image statistics provide a multifaceted view of the quality and progress of image acquisition and processing.
A unique hardware acceleration component supports fast acquisition and analysis with real-time super-resolution image display, while an optional offline mode allows super-resolution reprocessing of previously acquired images.
The MetaMorph system is compatible with most fluorescence and Tirf microscopes.