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The Light Microscopy Research Group (LMRG), which is part of the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF) is about to embark on our second international microscopy standardization study. For more information on the ABRF and the LMRG see our web page.  http://www.abrf.org/
We are happy to announce that the results from our first study "Quality Assurance Testing for Modern Optical Imaging Systems" by Stack et al. on laser stability,  co-registration, and field uniformity were  recently published in Microscopy and Microanalysis (see link below).  This work will  provide  imagers with protocols to help ensure that their instruments are performing up to international standards.
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayIssue?jid=MAM&tab=firstview
Our second study will consist of two parts, the first measuring and evaluating objective lens quality and instrument resolution. This will be accomplished by measuring the point spread function of sub-resolution beads or alternatively, using a mirror slides,   the second part involves spectral separation,  this test will measure the accuracy of spectral detectors as well as the spectral unmixing software.   If you are interested in participating in this  study please fill out our online survey by May 31, 2011.
All materials and protocols will be provided to participants.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ABRF_Study_2011
Once the survey closes  we will send out protocols and samples.
Please feel free to forward this message to your colleagues if you think they may be interested in this study.

Sincerely,
Claire Brown
LMRG Chair