Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Olympus has introduced the VivaView MG (Multi-Gas) incubator microscope, a long-term live cell incubation and imaging system optimized for stem cell, cancer, and other research requiring independent control of both oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, along with other environmental parameters. The self-contained system can be adjusted to provide the low oxygen (hypoxia) environmental conditions that many stem cell experiments and other advanced research protocols demand.
VivaView MG is equipped with nitrogen purging to regulate oxygen levels and more exactly mimic physiological conditions. Controlling oxygen levels in embryonic stem cell work is vital because, in nature, early-developing embryos thrive with much lower levels of oxygen than are present in either the atmosphere, conventional incubators or traditional microscope incubation systems. In non-embryonic stem cell studies, the microenvironment can affect gene regulation and differentiation, so it is important to control oxygen levels when growing such cells in vitro as well. Cartilage, cancerous, and other specific tissue types exist in environments with no nearby blood supply; they too must often be studied using lower oxygen levels. The VivaView MG makes it possible to recreate these conditions during multi-dimensional imaging because it is a true incubator, incorporating a fully automated microscope imaging system driven by Metamorph for Olympus software. Post-acquisition processing, de-convolution, and analysis can also be achieved with the software.
Scientists using the VivaView MG can choose from several new objective lens options, enabling them to adjust the magnification of the imaging system to match both their application and their sample precisely. The lenses include 10x, 20x, and 40x long working distance objectives for phase contrast and fluorescence, along with both 20x and 40x differential interference contrast (DIC) and fluorescence optics for high magnification, high resolution work. All objectives are compatible with the original VivaView (carbon dioxide control only) system.
Olympus VivaView systems allow observation of multiple locations per dish in up to eight dishes simultaneously, for up to a week at a time. Each closed-box system incorporates an incubator, fully enclosed motorized inverted microscope, high-performance drift-free optics, camera, computer and easy-to-use software. VivaView’s streamlined dish management system offers flexibility, ease of use, and optical performance. Scientists can change media in mid-experiment or add medications, drugs or other substances without removing samples from the incubator or disturbing environmental conditions inside. The system allows multiple observations in each dish, at multiple focal points, with intermittent review of results and images, even while the experiment is underway. Cells remain uncontaminated and enjoy a consistently beneficial environment throughout the experimental process.
Olympus America Inc., www.olympusamerica.com/vivaview