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Inverted microscopes in the context of live cell work are primarily
useful for imaging at the cell/coverslip interface for adherent cells
(which can be cultured in special coverslip chambers).  Cells in
coverslip culture chambers can be viewed and placed back in an
incubator without contamination; this allows longer term studies of a
particular living specimen.  Gravity is on your side with an inverted
microscope so crystal formation and sedimentation are readily observed
as well.  The architecture of the inverted microscope is more amenable
to viewing large or unconventional samples.  If necessary, the
condenser can be removed to provide more headroom.
        The primary advantage of upright microscopes is the ability to use
"dipping" objectives.  These are objectives which are designed to
function while submerged in the specimen media for live cell work.
This can be advantageous for viewing thick living specimens in aqueous
media and for situations involving micromanipulation where it is easier
to work from the top down and see where the probes are going.  Both
situations call for a relatively long working distance and minimal
spherical aberration; hence the special objective.
        On a practical note, inverted microscopes have the disadvantage that
oil from immersion lenses drips down the objective if too much is used,
however, when a user focuses too deep into a sample the sample lifts
rather than standing firm while the objective crashes into it.  Most
objectives are spring loaded but it's nice to have the extra insurance
against a smashed sample in a multiuser environment.
Regards,
Karl G.
On Thursday, October 24, 2002, at 03:25  PM, Barber, Bob wrote:

> Is the Zeiss Axiovert or the Axioplan the more versatile in a 2-photon
> confocal microscope setting using the Zeiss LSM 510 meta system?
>
> Bob Barber
> Neuroscience Division
> Beckman Research Institute
> City of Hope
> 1500 E Duarte Rd
> Duarte, Ca 91010
> [log in to unmask]
>
>