Andor Technology Andor Revolution Spinning Disk Imaging

Description

Spinning disk microscopy is an established imaging technique of choice for viewing and recording both dynamic and light-sensitive processes in isolated living cells or tissues. The Andor Revolution XD system funded by the Wellcome Trust utilises the Yokogawa CSU-X1 spinning disk head and an Ixon+ back-illuminated EMCCD camera (Andor) coupled to an Olympus IX81 inverted microscope. The system is capable of capturing high speed (30fps, 512x512 to 100fps at 128x128) or time-lapse (seconds to hours) confocal data sets from low light emitting specimens. There is also an in-line specialized FRAPPA unit for monitoring fast (msec) multi-point FRAP/FRET events and the capability of engaging an external source for photolytic uncaging of caged compounds.

The microscope employs a software-operated piezo motorized z-stage. A mobile, miniature heated environmental chamber, with the capacity to hold singular wells (35mm diameter) or a multi-chamber slide (up to 8 smaller wells), can be placed atop the microscope stage with the ability to set, maintain and monitor temperature, humidity, O2 and CO2 levels as imaging conditions dictate.

The system is run through Andor's IQ2 software package. Data can be subsequently processed through this package or imported to others such as Image J.