Illuminating the Microscopic World: Advancements in Fluorescence Imaging
Illuminating the Microscopic World: Advancements in Fluorescence Imaging
Fluorescence imaging techniques and solutions | December 2024
Fluorescence imaging techniques and solutions | December 2024
Fluorescence imaging is transforming the way we examine biological samples, allowing unprecedented insights into cellular structures, biomolecules, and the mechanisms of disease. By harnessing the unique properties of fluorescent molecules, this technique facilitates real-time observation, enhancing personalized medicine and accelerating drug discovery. In this article, we will explore the fundamentals of fluorescence imaging, discuss advanced techniques, and highlight the solutions provided by Hamamatsu Photonics.
Fluorescence imaging is transforming the way we examine biological samples, allowing unprecedented insights into cellular structures, biomolecules, and the mechanisms of disease. By harnessing the unique properties of fluorescent molecules, this technique facilitates real-time observation, enhancing personalized medicine and accelerating drug discovery. In this article, we will explore the fundamentals of fluorescence imaging, discuss advanced techniques, and highlight the solutions provided by Hamamatsu Photonics.
What is fluorescence microscopy?
What is fluorescence microscopy?
Fluorescence microscopy is a vital technique in both scientific and medical domains which enables the visualization and analysis of biological samples with remarkable detail. Researchers can explore cellular structures, proteins, and biomolecules by utilizing fluorescent molecules that emit light under specific wavelengths, enhancing our understanding of complex biological processes and diseases.
Hamamatsu Photonics’ fluorescence imaging solutions provide researchers with the tools to achieve precision and clarity in their imaging studies. Our technology is designed to offer high-speed imaging, enhanced sensitivity, and the ability to cover a wide range of wavelengths.
Fluorescence microscopy is a vital technique in both scientific and medical domains which enables the visualization and analysis of biological samples with remarkable detail. Researchers can explore cellular structures, proteins, and biomolecules by utilizing fluorescent molecules that emit light under specific wavelengths, enhancing our understanding of complex biological processes and diseases.
Hamamatsu Photonics’ fluorescence imaging solutions provide researchers with the tools to achieve precision and clarity in their imaging studies. Our technology is designed to offer high-speed imaging, enhanced sensitivity, and the ability to cover a wide range of wavelengths.
Key techniques of fluorescence imaging:
Key techniques of fluorescence imaging:
Confocal Microscopy
Confocal Microscopy
This technique improves the resolution and contrast of images by using a spatial pinhole to eliminate out-of-focus light, providing high-quality images of thick samples.
This technique improves the resolution and contrast of images by using a spatial pinhole to eliminate out-of-focus light, providing high-quality images of thick samples.
“Fluorescence processes produce a limited number of photons. Keeping that number low is key for sample integrity. However, this can compromise image quality. Hamamatsu's sCMOS and qCMOS cameras excel at delivering high-quality images with minimal photon counts, making them ideal for challenging fluorescence imaging.”
Sebastian Beer- Senior Application Engineer, Hamamatsu Photonics
“Fluorescence processes produce a limited number of photons. Keeping that number low is key for sample integrity. However, this can compromise image quality. Hamamatsu's sCMOS and qCMOS cameras excel at delivering high-quality images with minimal photon counts, making them ideal for challenging fluorescence imaging.”
Sebastian Beer- Senior Application Engineer, Hamamatsu Photonics
Highlighted Hamamatsu products for confocal microscopy:
Highlighted Hamamatsu products for confocal microscopy:
- qCMOS® camera, ORCA®-Quest 2
- Photomultiplier tube modules, H1620X series
Explore the full range of products for confocal microscopy here.
- qCMOS® camera, ORCA®-Quest 2
- Photomultiplier Tube modules, H1620X series
Explore the full range of products for confocal microscopy here.
Multiphoton Microscopy
A type of laser scanning fluorescence microscope. By using two or more photons of lower energy instead of one high-energy photon, multiphoton microscopy allows for deeper tissue imaging with minimal damage to the sample, making it ideal for live imaging.
Multiphoton Microscopy
A type of laser scanning fluorescence microscope. By using two or more photons of lower energy instead of one high-energy photon, multiphoton microscopy allows for deeper tissue imaging with minimal damage to the sample, making it ideal for live imaging.
Highlighted Hamamatsu products for multiphoton microscopy:
Highlighted Hamamatsu products for multiphoton microscopy:
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM)
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM)
This method measures lifetime instead of intensity - the decay time of fluorescence from excited states - providing information about molecular environments and interactions. This technique is particularly useful for distinguishing differences in molecules or organelles based on their fluorescence lifetime duration, simplifying the user’s measurement preparation.
This method measures lifetime instead of intensity - the decay time of fluorescence from excited states - providing information about molecular environments and interactions. This technique is particularly useful for distinguishing differences in molecules or organelles based on their fluorescence lifetime duration, simplifying the user’s measurement preparation.
Highlighted Hamamatsu products for FLIM:
Highlighted Hamamatsu products for FLIM:
Super-Resolution Microscopy
Super-Resolution Microscopy
Super-resolution microscopy uses a type of microscope that allows observation of samples beyond the diffraction limit typically associated with conventional optical microscopes.
Techniques such as STED and PALM break the diffraction limit of light, allowing for imaging at the nanoscale, which is crucial for understanding cellular structures in greater detail.
Super-resolution microscopy uses a type of microscope that allows observation of samples beyond the diffraction limit typically associated with conventional optical microscopes.
Techniques such as STED and PALM break the diffraction limit of light, allowing for imaging at the nanoscale, which is crucial for understanding cellular structures in greater detail.
Highlighted Hamamatsu products for Super-Resolution Microscopy:
Highlighted Hamamatsu products for Super-Resolution Microscopy:
- ORCA®-Quest 2 qCMOS® camera C15550-22UP
Explore the range of products available for Super-Resolution Microscopy here.
- ORCA®-Quest 2 qCMOS® camera C15550-22UP
Explore the range of products available for Super-Resolution Microscopy here.
Light-sheet Microscopy
Light-sheet Microscopy
This technique allows rapid image acquisition while minimizing phototoxicity. Light-sheet microscopy is often compared to confocal microscopy because it can capture 3D images, but it offers two key advantages:
This technique allows rapid image acquisition while minimizing phototoxicity. Light-sheet microscopy is often compared to confocal microscopy because it can capture 3D images, but it offers two key advantages:
Separate optical paths for excitation light illumination and fluorescence detection.
No excitation light hits the upper and lower focal planes, reducing fading and phototoxicity.
Additionally, light-sheet microscopy illuminates the XY plane simultaneously, allowing for faster image acquisition without the need to scan in the XY direction.
Additionally, light-sheet microscopy illuminates the XY plane simultaneously, allowing for faster image acquisition without the need to scan in the XY direction.
Highlighted Hamamatsu products for Light-sheet Microscopy:
Highlighted Hamamatsu products for Light-sheet Microscopy:
Fluorescence imaging is an essential tool in modern biological research, providing detailed insights into the cellular processes and interactions that govern life. With advanced techniques and the right solutions, researchers can continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in fluorescence imaging.
Fluorescence imaging is an essential tool in modern biological research, providing detailed insights into the cellular processes and interactions that govern life. With advanced techniques and the right solutions, researchers can continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in fluorescence imaging.