Carl Zeiss Makes ELISPOT Examinations Faster and More Reliable

Two complete systems for Enzyme Linked Immuno SPOT (Elispot) examinations offering faster and more reliable analysis have been launched by Carl Zeiss. The KS ELISPOT and KS ELISPOT compact include a microscope, scanning stage, camera, control unit, computer and software optimised for ultra high speed and ultra high resolution.

The new systems are ideally suited to the fast and accurate evaluation of standard and fluorescent Elispot specimens. Compared to existing systems that collect just a single image per well, which often results in a resolution that is too low to recognise smaller spots, the KS ELISPOT evaluates each well with a 2x2, 3x3 or 3x4 image array. Users may select the speed and resolution combination that suits their particular requirements and means the systems are ideal for pharmacologists, immunologists and oncologists conducting microscopic Elispot assays both in routine laboratories and tumour, AIDS and vaccine research.

The KS ELISPOT uses the Axio Imager microscope equipped with a 2.5x EC Epiplan Neofluar objective lens to combine high speed evaluation and high capacity specimen throughput with ultra high resolution. When the AxioCam MRc integrating digital colour camera is used, the spots in double markings are more distinctly separated due to the enhanced colour recognition. New 2.5x and 5x objective lenses may also be specified to cover the range from one to twelve images per well. Depending on the resolution chosen, this results in a pixel size of between 2 and 12 microns.

For the routine laboratory, the KS ELISPOT compact uses the Stemi 2000 C stereomicroscope and enables a complete Elispot evaluation to be conducted in less than four minutes. Users can simply define the start and end positions and leave the rest to the system. A unique spot learning procedure allows the system to adapt easily to new preparation methods.

An overview image is permanently displayed for control purposes with access to the full resolution image and data table at the click of a mouse. All images are stored and available for external processing or automatic re-evaluation. This is an advantage in fluorescence Elispot specimens, allowing evaluation with different labels while avoiding bleaching.