Carl Zeiss Imaging Software Examines Intracellular Process in Nanoseconds

The Dual Camera module for the AxioVision image analysis software from Carl Zeiss is intended for all users in the life sciences, including cell biologists, virologists and physiologists who examine fast intracellular processes with maximum resolution in both time and space. The module provides the capability to simultaneously acquire images with two cameras and their highly precise synchronization within nanoseconds.

The camera parameters such as exposure time or contrast can be set independently. Dual Camera applications are comprised of two identical cameras with adapter, suitable filters and a software module. Capturing images of biological samples with two different wavelengths in two channels permits the measurement of emission ratio imaging (Indo-1), fast FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer) examinations and the imaging of cellular transport processes in cell cultures, tissues or organisms.

Simultaneously imaging tissue and cell structures using infrared transmitted-light techniques like IR-DIC (differential interference contrast) and fluorescence excitation – a major requirement for electrophysiological work in neurobiology – is a further application that benefits from the Dual Camera module. Due to the simultaneous capture of two separate images, the Dual Camera module provides a higher speed of capture than techniques where images are only captured sequentially with one camera.

Furthermore, artifacts that can occur in sequential captures of double-stained structures with only one camera are effectively prevented, as are errors in ratiometric measurements of two emission channels (e.g. with Indo-1). Thanks to Dual Camera, it is no longer necessary to mechanically change filters or to use emission filter wheels to visualize two dyes.

Additionally, projecting two images on the sensor of a camera via optical adapters using Dual Camera does not sacrifice the field of view. The functionality of the AxioVision Physiology recording and analysis module, in particular, benefits from the possibilities provided by Dual Camera. The Dual Camera module is also an attractive supplement to the Cell Observer SD confocal recording system. Together with the Cell Observer HS and Cell Observer SD microscope systems, Dual Camera creates an ideal system for live cell imaging and physiology.