Perkin Elmer Ultraview ERS:

This system allows for imaging dynamic biological processes in a live-cell environment by using a wafer-thin Nipkow spinning disc containing multiple pinholes, in combination with microlens technology that directs light through the pinholes. Thus, rapid confocal images of fluorescent samples can be generated with minimal photobleaching and phototoxicity.

The Ultraview RS is mounted on a Zeiss Axiovert 200m that is enclosed in a heated chamber (and an additional heated stage) with CO2 perfusion providing the ideal setting for live cell analysis. An ultrafast piezoelectric z-motor (Piezosystem Jena) is mounted on the objective and is used to  acquire a z-series for 3-D stacks.  Emission signals are detected with a Peltier cooled Hamamatsu Orca ER CCD camera capable of displaying 1324X1024 pixels in either 12 or 14 bit depth.

The system  has the capability to spectrally discriminate multiple fluorophores due to an ultrarapid emission discrimination filter wheel that works in tandem with the other optical components. The Ultraview has successfully imaged rapid biological events, such as microtubule dynamics, protein movements, cell migration, actin movements, mitochondrial translocation, drug binding, and bead diffusion.  Furthermore, we have imaged the effects of chemotherapeutics on their cellular target for over 72 hr without any notably photobleaching or phototoxicity. Notably, we have visualized individual quantum dots and have successfully microinjected (performed with our attached Eppendorf microinjection apparatus) and visualized quantum dots in living cells. This system has also been used to observe cellular uptake of quantum dots or nanoparticle-conjugated chemotherapeutics.