Following single cell fluorescence dynamics with native microscopy

摘要

The single most important piece of apparatus in the biology laboratory is the optical microscope (1). Even relatively inexpensive microscopes have launched budding grade-school students into careers in the life sciences. As we move up the scale in sophistication, spatial resolution, color correction, and special contrast modes are incorporated into the microscope. Binocular viewing, photography, and digital imaging are also added. Tile last feature is particularly beneficial for examining details, because various contrast-enhancing algorithms can be applied, it is also the key to recording dynamic (time-dependent) events in cells.