Reply from a vendor: In a message dated 11/1/97 5:39:53, [log in to unmask] (Barbara Tolloczko) wrote: <<We are imaging [Ca2+}i changes in living cells (loded with Fura-2) using PTI system (hardware and software), based on a Nikon microscope, and CCD camera with intensifier from Videoscope. This is good enough to see changes in individual cells, but now we would like to be able to moniter changes in subcellular compartments. What would we need to upgrade our system (camera, deconvolution software, image analysis software etc) and what would be the cost of it? Or would it be better to go for a real time confocal microscopy? Or two photon? (I am allowed to make "a dream list").>> You could add confocal capability to your current set-up with an InSight Basic. This puts a video rate confocal scanner between your oculars and the microscope body and illuminates the sample with an argon ion laser. You can then use the camera you have, the intesifier you have, and the software you know to collect and analyze your data. Options include Krypton laser, fast shutters, Z-drive, filter wheel, IQ computer, and cooled-intensified CCD camera, depending on how big a dream list you can get away with. You would not be able to excite FURA-2 with the laser, although the confocal aperture will give you some benefit on resolution. Better to use Fura Red or Fluo-3 or a combination of the two. There are many other blue excited dyes out there, and the choice depends on the experiment. If you have the budget, 2-photon would be an option. If you have the time, deconvolution may also help, although an intensifier placed in series may insert too much noise and remove too much dynamic range to give you much improvement. David Biovision (formerly Meridian) oQQQQQ@