ZEN – Practical Experimental Intelligence for Laser Scanning Microscopy

New Software from Carl Zeiss sets new standard for intuitive ease-of-use with completely redesigned on-screen interface that mimics major controls

One of the major problems facing users of advanced laser scanning microscopes is the amount and complexity of the image acquisition and microscope controls available. Even in integrated microscope control and imaging applications, learning to control the microscope, drive external accessories, manage the digital acquisition process, manipulate the resulting images and store the results can be a substantial barrier to beginners and advanced users alike.

The answer, according to Carl Zeiss, is ZEN 2007, an integrated suite of digital imaging software that reduces the complexity of the interface to the minimum without diminishing the range and scope of the functions available. ZEN does this by switching between Basic and Professional mode in response to user input and, therefore, allows users to focus their full attention on the specimen.

The ZEN user interface is clearly structured and flexible, allowing it to be individually tailored to each experiment and user. Organised into three zones that follow the typical workflow of experiments, image acquisition and microscope control tools are on the left, the central worktable for image viewing takes up the majority of the screen and file management tools sit on the right. The left toolbar automatically adapts to each user’s personal requirements and can be decoupled and freely positioned on the screen if required.

ZEN’s centre pane is optimised for displaying and interacting with the acquired image data. The tools are clearly arranged under the image and activate and deactivate as necessary. The designers also took particular care in making navigation through the captured images and data significantly easier, with three modules individually designed to make this as intuitive as possible. Particularly appealing is the ‘Exposé’ mode, where images from up to three image containers can be opened simultaneously to allow comparison.

The colour and brightness of ZEN’s input fields and buttons are carefully adapted to the typical lighting conditions encountered in a laboratory environment. The resulting improvement in contrast makes it possible to recognize details in fluorescence images that were not visible before. The optimisation of the screen display for the 30" widescreen format creates additional space which is useful in particular for complex experiments in which a large number of tool palettes and view windows are open simultaneously.

ZEN 2007 has been subject to exhaustive user trials throughout its development which have confirmed its intuitive user interface and short learning curve. All laser scanning microscopes in the Zeiss LSM 5 Family from release 2.8 onwards can be upgraded.