As a new-comer to the wonderful world of confocal microscopy, I am
amazed at its potential but at the same time I often find
myself way out to lunch :)

If you haven't already guessed, I'am a novice user, of a Biorad MRC
600 confocal microscope to be exact.  As part of my masters research
I am using the microscope to observe fluorescently stained yeast
cells.  The dye I am using stains viable cells a diffuse green
(cytoplasm) with red intravacuolar structures.  I would like to
measure (quantitate) the fluorescence intensity of both colours
independently (I realize there will likely be some overlap - if
anyone has any suggestions for dealing with this situation your
advice would be greatly appreciated).  I have already been advised
that I will require some non-fading fluorescent standards (red &
green) that I can use to set up the microscope before testing my yeast
samples.  I have been told that some plastics (some kinds used to make
cheap toys) can work very well.  I don't know how true this is or
what plastics would be good.  I would really appreciate any
suggestions anyone might have on appropriate standards that I could
use.

Thanks in advance for any advice offered

Heather Heggart
M.E.Sc. candidate
University of Western Ontario, Canada
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