PLAINVIEW, N.Y., March 16, 2009 – Veeco Instruments has announced the release of its BioScope Catalyst life science atomic force microscope (AFM), which integrates atomic force and light microscopy. The system features hardware and software innovations that facilitate combined use of the two complementary techniques in a variety of life sciences applications, including thermally limited cellular force and mechanical studies, and high-resolution molecular-scale imaging.
It integrates with inverted optical microscopes and features software designed for registering and overlaying optical and AFM data. Samples can be imaged independently of fluorescent labels at resolutions higher than that of optical microscopy, and data regarding cell elasticity, binding affinity and mechanical transduction can be gathered.
The Catalyst uses a top-down laser path that permits use of phase contrast, differential interference contrast and bright-field optical microscopy and provides easy optical and physical access from the top of the AFM head. The system is compatible with the major inverted optical microscope brands, as well as with their standard condensers and a full complement of objectives.
The proprietary MIRO (Microscope Image Registration and Overlay) software corrects and registers light microscopy images and AFM data in real-time, permitting faster and more reliable data acquisition and processing. It generates correlated AFM and optical data sets and offers off-line processing, enabling presentation- and publication-ready images in minutes. Enhanced support is included for the Hamamatsu Orca and Photometrics CoolSnap cameras, enabling images to be captured directly into the software.
The X-Y scan range is >150 µm, and the Z scan range is ≥16 µm, all in open- or closed-loop operation.
The system features flexible mounting options, heating and fluid handling capabilities, and a micro-volume perfusion accessory for working with precious reagents or proteins. The petri dish perfusion accessory with heating capability enables long-duration live-cell studies. The probe load stand and EasyAlign accessory facilitate laser alignment and exchanging of probes.
Applications include imaging of lipid bilayers and membranes, DNA-plasmid and other biomolecules, and biopolymer structure. The system also performs nanomanipulation and mechanical stimulus studies, mapping of ligand-receptor interactions and single-molecule force spectroscopy. An infrared superluminescent diode in the scan head ensures compatibility with common red-emitting fluorophores, enabling epifluorescence, confocal laser scanning microscopy, Forster resonance energy transfer, total internal reflection fluorescence and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching techniques.
For more information, visit: www.veeco.com
Veeco Instruments Inc.
Terminal Drive
Plainview, NY 11803
Phone: (516) 677-0200
Fax: (516) 714-1200