Superiorities of Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopes in Biological Research
Compared with conventional optical microscopes, laser scanning confocal microscopes feature higher resolution, enable simultaneous observation of multiple fluorescence signals, and can form clear three-dimensional images. For the observation of biological samples, laser scanning confocal microscopes have the following superiorities:
① Continuous scanning of living cell tissues or cell sections can be performed to acquire fine three-dimensional images of cytoskeletons, chromosomes, organelles and cell membrane systems.
② It can generate images with higher contrast and resolution than ordinary fluorescence microscopes, while offering high sensitivity and
excellent sample protection.
③ Acquisition of multi-dimensional images, such as 7-dimensional images (XYZaλIt): xyt, xzt and xt scanning, time-series scanning, rotational scanning, region scanning and spectral scanning. Image processing can be carried out conveniently.
④ Intracellular ion fluorescent labeling. Single or multiple labeling is available to detect the ratio measurement and dynamic changes of intracellular ion concentrations such as pH, sodium, calcium and magnesium.
⑤ Fluorescent labeling. Observation of biomaterials in living cells or section specimens labeled by probes, including membrane markers, active substances, biochemical reactions, receptors or ligands, and nucleic acids. Multiple substances can be labeled and observed simultaneously on the same sample.
⑥ Non-damaging detection for cells, with safe, reliable performance and excellent repeatability. Data and images can be output timely or stored for long-term use.
