Released as the LV200 Luminoview Bio-luminescence microscope, Olympus' latest offering for advanced live cell imaging claims to be 'a quantum leap in luminescence microscopy' and features a highly specialised optical design to maximise light collection, enable dual-colour luminescence and provide brightfield and fluorescence overlays.

The first commercially available luminescent microscope, the LV200 boasts full environmental control for long term live cell imaging, providing bio-luminescence microscopy for small organisms and slice cultures as well as single cells.

As the LV200 uses bio-Luminescence as opposed to fluorescence it has a number of distinct benefits, most notably it combines a high signal-to-noise ratio with no background luminescence or phototoxic effects. Additionally, only viable cells emit luminescence signals, and therefore measurements are absolute and directly quantitative.

Luminescent light is not as bright as fluorescence, and has previously required expensive and often complex imaging systems. With this release Olympus has incorporated a refined set of optics to provide the straightest path and shortest distance between the object and the camera, to ensure that as much light as possible reaches the CCD chip, thereby avoiding this problem. Furthermore, the company claim that optics used give a vast increase in sensitivity when compared to a conventional microscope system.

The LV200 is fully integrated with the Olympus cell^M imaging and analysis software that enables users to precisely control experimental and camera settings, as well as capture and analyse the resultant images and time series in an efficient manner.

Pricing and Availability:
The LV200 is available immediately, directly from Olympus or through local Olympus representatives. Prices are dependent upon configuration and can be obtained by contacting the company directly.

>> www.microscopy.olympus.eu