Dear George,
 
that is all fine. But I do not see where is the advantage of spinning disk versus standard but the "best set-up" for Live Cell Imaging using conventional epifluorescent microscopy (like Nikon's TE2000E microscope and Hamamatsu Orca ER CCD camera(s). Again I am talking about the sensitivity and the resolution of the whole system???
 
Vitaly Boyko
Senior research Fellow,
NCI-Frederick,
MD 21702
 

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: George A. Peeters [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
	Sent: Sat 12/13/2003 6:29 PM 
	To: [log in to unmask] 
	Cc: 
	Subject: Re: spinning disk instruments
	
	

	Dear List:
	We always like to hear our name mentioned right before a show such as Cell Biology (exhibit 713....shameless ...I know).
	
	With regard to the comments on the spinning disk Confocals. Limiting light is an issue to maintain cell viability over the course of your experiment. The cameras are important. We have been monitoring the EM-CCD cameras and doing direct comparisons when possible. Thus far, the Stanford Photonics ICCD cameras (XR Mega-10 EX) that we provide with our systems have performed better than the EM-CCD cameras for sensitivity, and signal to noise. Resolution of our cameras is <300 nm line pairs.  Some of the tests were done at Dr. Pawley's course and the results are on our web site. We will introduce a new camera at Cell Biology from Stanford Photonics (The XR/Mega-10 Z) that has higher gain and far less noise than even the XR Mega-10EX ICCD. Running a gain of one million we have on average one count per million pixels with the camera capped off. For those really seeking single molecule detection or imaging luminescence this camera should fill your needs.
	
	As for the micro lenses, they do a few things: 1) they allow us to use smaller pin holes for a given illumination source, 2) they reduce the back scattered light from the pin hole disks that can contaminate the image, and 3) we use a fiber optically coupled laser as a point source which allows for critical alignment of the recollimated illumination beam to the disks without the arc wander that is inherent in the lamp illuminated systems.
	
	Happy Holidays,
	
	
	
	George A. Peeters MD, MS
	President, Solamere Technology Group
	Salt Lake City Utah
	84103
	tel/fax 801 322-2645
	www.solameretech.com