The LSM 5 DUO Release 4.2 from Carl Zeiss makes Laser Scanning Microscopy faster

With the LSM 5 DUO Release 4.2, Carl Zeiss MicroImaging has launched an enhanced version of the successful flagship in the line of laser scanning microscopes for examinations in biomedical research.

This new version makes work with many new fluorescent dyes even more fast and efficient. The special benefit of the LSM 5 DUO systems – flexible, simultaneous sample manipulation and the versatility of a real confocal workstation – has been further enhanced due to improved laser modules. At the same time, the system provides an increased resolution of 2.4 megapixels in the fast line scan mode and an integrated autofocus function.

The LSM 5 DUO is based on the inverted microscope AxioObserver.Z1 launched in October 2006, which not only features a fully integrated incubation system, but also allows use of a wide variety of reflector modules. The complete reflector turrets with the DUO beam combiners can be easily exchanged, making work with the LSM 5 DUO even more flexible.

In release 4.2, both modules of the LSM 5 DUO – the LSM 510 META and the LSM 5 LIVE, also available as single systems – have been improved. This affects both the hardware and the software.

The current Mk4 version of the LSM 510 META features a laser module which provides an excitation wavelength in steps of 25 nm on average. Therefore, many current dyes – new fluorescent proteins in particular – can be ideally excited without compromise. Furthermore, improved emission filters enhance sensitivity, particularly of living specimens.

The LSM 5 LIVE system offers many improvements. The new 561 nm laser line is available in a high-performance 40 mW version for fast line scanning. With 20 mW, the 440 nm laser has become more powerful, and can also be combined with the 405 nm laser. A new microscanning recording mode permits image resolution of up to 1536 x 1536 pixels using the sensitive CCD detectors of the LSM 5 LIVE. To optimize the use of numerous dyes, several new double bandpass filters have been integrated, allowing imaging of two dyes through only one detection channel thanks to the fast change of excitation wavelengths. Thus, the low-price, 1-channel systems of the LSM 5 LIVE make it easier to enter the LSM 5 DUO system world, while the 2-channel systems now also permit the use of numerous dyes at high speeds.

The optional Visual Macro Editor software package from Carl Zeiss provides the LSM 5 DUO user with a tool for the easy programming of complex image recording routines. Its highlights include the automatic focusing of the sample during long-time experiments and image recording or sample bleaching control via image information read-in online. This enables, for example, targeted sample bleaching at a defined percentage of the starting intensity. Further interesting functions permit any required high image resolution with the LSM 510, e.g. 8192 x 8192 pixels.

The improvements of the LSM 510 META and LSM 5 LIVE single systems have been ideally implemented in the LSM 5 DUO combination.