셀루션 [Cellution]

MicroPoint 4 is the 4th generation of Andor’s popular laser scanning-based illumination system for photostimulation applications. MicroPoint is a proven choice for hundreds of research studies around the world for applications that require precise illumination including:

• Axotomy, microdissection and ablation: study repair and regeneration processes.

• Induce DNA damage: for DNA repair, regulation and gene function.

• Optogenetics: study the role of individual neurons within complex networks.

• Bleach and FRAP: follow dynamics - trafficking, turnover and synthesis.

• Uncaging: study active biomolecules.

At the core of the MicroPoint system is a new smart microcontroller, supporting continuous and pulsed lasers. Our patented pulsed nitrogen-pumped dye laser has 24 laser dye cells from 365 to 656 nm making it easy to change laser wavelengths to suit application needs. Add a continuous wave laser source such as Andor’s Versatile or High Power laser engines (VLE or HLE). There is easy integration into most popular microscope models, and a choice between Manual or PC-controlled Galvo models.

Ablation and Axotomy

MicroPoint is a proven tool of choice for many researchers for studying the vital mechanisms of cellular repair. The updated MicroPoint 4 model brings even greater speed, control and precision in ablation and axotomy applications. Target specific components of the cell with UV pulses to induce damage e.g.:

Double strand breaks to DNA
Protein recruitment and distribution of repair proteins in DNA repair
Repurposed roles of vesicle trafficking in the repair or cell membranes

In this example MicroPoint is being used to cut the cell junction and study mechanical heterogeneity in Xenopus. (Data courtesy of the Wallingford Lab, University of Texas at Austin).

Photoswitching

MicroPoint 4 can be used for photoactivation, photoswitching and other optical stimulation or activation experiments. A choice of CW lasers allow precise control over illumination power, while the patented dye-cell based laser offers a highly cost effective way to add laser wavelengths to suit different applications.

MicroPoint 4 is thus an excellent tool for studies of cell dynamics, signalling pathways and the growing number of studies that are exploiting photoswitching and activation methods.

*Right: Activation of EOS in drosophila embryo

Laser Sources	Nitro Dye Laser	Pico Laser	VLE option	HLE option
Average power	300 μW	4 mW @ 355 nm 20 mW @ 532 nm	30 - 200 mW	200 - 1200 mW
Peak power	7 kW	2 kW @ 355 nm 10 kW @ 532 nm	N/A
Pulse energy	20 μJ	2 μJ @ 355 nm 10 μJ @ 532 nm	N/A
Stability	± 3 %	± 1 %	± 3 %
Spectral bandwidth	3 - 4 nm FWHM	~1 nm	1 - 2 nm FWHM
Pulse width	3 - 5 nsec	~1 ns	1 ms - 10 s
Pulse repetition rate	0 - 20 Hz	0.2 - 5 kHz	1 - 1000 Hz
Lifetime	20 M laser pulses; 30,000 laser pulses per refillable dye cell	5000 hrs typical	5000 hrs typical
IEC 60825-1 Classification	Class 3B	Class 3B	Class 3B	Class 4

Control	Manual	Galvo
Controller	Smart controller with LCD touch screen	Smart controller with USB to PC
Triggering	Manual, Foot pedal, Ext TTL	Software. foot pedal Ext TTL
Field of Illumination	Fixed beam (user adjustable)	Approx 6 x 6 mm
Settling Time (ms)	N/A	1 - 5 (step size dependent)
Galvo Control Precision (bits)	N/A	16

Optical	Nitro Dye Laser	Pico Laser	CW Laser
Wavelengths	365 - 656 nm	355 nm and 532 nm selection via filter slider	400 - 780 nm
Attenuation MicroPoint 4	Motorised rotary ND: 3OD, ninety steps, 0.1 - 100% Transmission (log scale)
Attenuation at laser source	0.1 - 3OD - 0.1 - 100% ND slider	N/A	2 - 100% electronic
Resolvable spot size	Near diffraction limited	Near diffraction limited	Approx 4 X PSF FWHM (~2 μm @ 60X/1.2NA)