Utilising the successful pE-300 Series platform, the pE-340fura is a bespoke LED Illuminator for Fura-2 ratiometric calcium imaging, which also supports everyday fluorescence microscopy in a compact and affordable package.
The 340nm and 380nm LED illumination system provides the optimum excitation wavelengths for Fura-2-based calcium imaging allowing high-precision, stable, high-throughput imaging with video-rate time resolution.
The images above show a field of cardiac myocytes (heart cells). The cells were loaded with Fura-2 using standard conditions (i.e. incubation with 2 micromolar Fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester for 30 minutes, followed by an additional 30 minutes for de-esterification. Images were obtained by Martin Bootman and Katja Rietdorf, School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, UK.
Until recently, the response time of illumination systems for Fura-2 imaging have been limited to milliseconds due to mechanical switching of the wavelengths in arc lamp and monochromator systems. However, the new pE-340fura can be controlled via convenient BNC TTL connections for precise illumination control in as little as 20 microseconds.
Spontaneous Ca2+ events are induced in Mg2+-free HBS. (A) Representative trace from a single hippocampal neuron of Mg2+-free induced Ca2+ events imaged at 0.5 Hz and (B) representative trace from two hippocampal neurons of Mg2+-free induced Ca2+ events imaged at 24.39 Hz. TINNING, P. W., FRANSSEN, A. J. P.M., HRIDI, S. U., BUSHELL, T. J. and MCCONNELL, G. (2017), A 340/380 nm light-emitting diode illuminator for Fura-2 AM ratiometric Ca2+ imaging of live cells with better than 5 nM precision. Journal of Microscopy. doi:10.1111/jmi.12616
Using the new pE-340fura LED Illumination System, less Fura-2 dye can be loaded into the cells whilst still maintaining the same measured calcium concentration and good signal-to-noise ratio. The reduction in required dye not only improves cell-viability due to reduced dye toxicity, but also results in a cost reduction per experiment.
The pE-340fura offers:
Mercury-free
Energy Efficient: 80% less power
Long lifetime (25,000 operating hours)
No bulb replacements
Reduced risk of eye damage
Quiet operation
No special disposal regulations or issues
Mercury-free
Energy Efficient: 80% less power
Long lifetime (25,000 operating hours)
No bulb replacements
Reduced risk of eye damage
Quiet operation
No special disposal regulations or issues
