and how fast is "VERY" fast?

 in retrospect, one suggestion from someone who shopped a decon system for a year
or two: have all the systems run multispeck beads to check for resolution and
chromatic/spherical aberration.  Doesn't matter how fast if things don't line
up!!  By the way, anything under 15 minutes should be considered "realtime" in my
opinion, as long as you can do that while you move on to do another image
collection.  I've noticed that once you get used to the degree of improvement the
deconvolution nets you, I don't get "surprised" too often.  You tend to collect a
stack, start a decon in the background (either locally or uploaded to another
machine), and move on to collect more...

Michael A. Mancini, Ph.D.
Department of Cell Biology
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX  77030

"James D. Lechleiter" wrote:

> I just finished a vendor demonstration (Meyer Instruments,1304 Langham
> Creek, Suite 235, Houston, TX, 77084, 281-579-0342) of deconvolution
> solution for digital confocal called Openlab2 by Improvision Inc.  The
> package is written for a PowerMac G3 and it was VERY fast and VERY
> impressive and would be well-suited for a multi-user facility.
>
> My advice before purchasing any system would be to take some samples to
> various venders and test their the software/hardware.
>
> jim
>
> >We are looking into a standalone 3-D image processing/analyzing workstation
> >and a back illuminated CCD camera. The primary usage we need to perform on
> >the workstation are:
> >
> >1) De-convolution.
> >
> >2) 3-d image processing/measurement. More specifically, we need to get
> >integrated density measurement of 3-d/4-d (3-D time-laps) experiments. Also,
> >possibly, we need to measure of co-localization of multiple stains in 3-d.
> >
> >We do have a PC based de-convolution package now. The problem is speed. Even
> >with the fastest computer we can get and maximum amount of RAM we can put
> >into, it is still fairly time consuming with the data set we have.
> >
> >The questions I have are:
> >
> >1) Any recommendations about particular software and computer platforms for
> >all above applications? I know it is a difficult question. I am particularly
> >interested in the experience of those who use a Unix platform for the above
> >purposes. It is intended  for use in a multi-user facility.  Consequently,
> >ease of use and flexibility of software is a main concern.
> >
> >2) If anyone has compared PC based and Unix based system for such
> >applications, I would particularly like to know the pros and cons of the two
> >platforms relative to each other.
> >
> >3)  If anyone has opinions on particular back illuminated CCDs.  Our key
> >requirements are a) high sensitivity in the green wavelengths, b) small
> >pixel size (no greater than 10 micron pixels), c) relatively fast frame
> >acquisition with a greater emphasis on low dark current and readout noise
> >
> >I thank, in advance,  those who respond. Please respond to me directly
> >instead of to the list (unless you think it is of generally interesting).
> >
> >Commercially motivated responses are welcome. Nevertheless, we are in the
> >early stage of thinking whether it is worth to pursue further. So there is
> >no definitive plan for this yet.
> >
> >Best wishes to all.
> >
> >Xuejun
> >
> >***********************************************************************
> >Xuejun Sun, Ph.D.
> >Dept. of Experimental Oncology
> >Cross Cancer Institute
> >11560 University Ave.
> >Edmonton Alberta T6G 1Z2, Canada
> >
> >Phone:  (780) 432 8898 (office)
> >        (780) 432 8468 (lab.)
> >Fax:    (780) 432 8892
> >Email:  [log in to unmask]
>
> James D. Lechleiter, Ph.D.
> Associate Professor
> Department of Molecular Medicine
> Institute of Biotechnology
> University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
> 15355 Lambda Drive
> San Antonio, TX  78245-3207
>
> phones: (210) 567-7252/7225
> FAX     (210) 567-7247
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]