More Flexible and Faster FRET Experiments

Cell and development biologists can now use the sophisticated functions of the Carl Zeiss AxioVision software, such as the enhancement of fluorescence signals and the suppression of image noise, to support their FRET investigations. The new features are found in the physiology module of the AxioVision 4.7 microscopy software and make FRET experiments easier and simpler.

The FRET software is used to determine the energy transfer portion between two adjacent protein molecules through fluorescence energy transfer (FRET), measure the distance between adjacent protein molecules below the microscope resolution and obtain quantitative temporal and spatial information about the bonding and interaction between proteins, lipids, enzymes, DNA and RNA in vivo. It is ideally matched to the motorised Axio
Imager or Cell Observer microscope systems, although it can be to be used with manual fluorescence microscopes. The software offers numerous additions to existing and new methods of FRET measurement by using different corrective techniques or acceptor bleaching. Users can define their own formulas for the tasks to be performed or use pre-programmed FRET formulas to make FRET experiments even simpler. Furthermore, it is possible to modify existing FRET formulas and easily create new evaluation techniques via the formula field.

AxioVision enables the wide range of microscope accessories and software functions to be used for processing. For instance, up to 140 frames per second are available with the AxioCam HS and the dual camera module more than doubles the speed of capture. In addition, all required time series images (donor, acceptor and FRET), can be captured using the physiology module.