Speed, Resolution and Sensitivity of Andor Zyla sCMOS Camera enables Instantaneous Imaging of Neuronal Activity across Whole Organism for the first time
10th February 2015, Belfast, UK: The speed, resolution and sensitivity of the Andor Zyla sCMOS camera has allowed the Vaziri research group in Vienna, Austria, to simultaneously image neuronal activity across an entire organism for the first time. This profound advance follows closely on their innovative wide-field temporal focusing (WF-TeFo) two-photon approach to high-speed imaging of whole brains, which was also enabled by an Andor camera - the Neo sCMOS.
Publishing in Nature Methods, the team describe using their new technique of light-field deconvolution microscopy (LFDM) to map the simultaneous neuronal population activity of a whole nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans, as well as the whole-brain of zebrafish larvae in combination with sensory stimulation 20x faster than previously achieved using other techniques.
According to lead author, Dr Robert Prevedel, "LFDM elegantly combines light-field microscopy with 3D deconvolution and enables us to image a whole 3D-volume with a single exposure to a 2D sensor. This simultaneous 3D imaging is scan-less and involves no moving parts during acquisition, can be easily added to any commercial microscope, and is very cost-effective.
"Our experiments on whole organism imaging demonstrate the sheer power of LFDM for high-speed imaging, which is limited only by the camera frame-rate and the signal strength of the Ca-reporter. Our nuclear-confined Calcium-indicator, which visualises the activity of a neuron by increasing its fluorescence, was combined with the ultra-fast frame rate of the Andor Zyla 5.5 megapixel sCMOS camera for unambiguous discrimination of individual neurons across C. elegans. The 100 Hz full-frame Zyla camera was one of the two fastest sCMOS cameras available and in the development of our WF-TeFo microscopy technique we had been very satisfied with the performance of its predecessor, the 30 Hz Andor Neo."
Dr Prevedel describes the performance of the Zyla sCMOS camera as "flawless" and continues: "We especially liked the capability of the control software, SOLIS, to capture, stream and display the huge image data in real time and with minimal efforts. This way we could watch the data acquisition in real time and effortlessly browse through many GBs of recordings. In the end, we only needed to deploy the Zyla at 50 Hz but the extra speed capability may be very useful in future experiments."
Although light-field microscopy (LFM) has been successfully applied to imaging still and in-vitro biological samples, it has not been used for any functional biological imaging. This is due largely to its reduced spatial resolution compared to standard microscopy methods and the inherent trade-off between the spatial and axial resolution as well as axial imaging range. LFDM combines LFM with a 3D deconvolution algorithm whereby to achieve an effective resolution of approx. 1.4 µm and 2.6 µm in the lateral and axial dimensions respectively inside biological samples using a 40x objective while simultaneously recording neuronal population activity over a field of view of approx. 350 µm x 350 µm x 30 µm. This is sufficient to capture the dynamics of neurons distributed across the entire nervous system of C. elegans.
Using a 20x 0.5NA objective, the group also applied their imaging technique to capture the neuronal activity of zebrafish whole brains, were they achieved instantaneous imaging of massive field-of-views of 750 µm x 750 µm x 200 µm with spatial resolution of approx. 3.5 µm laterally and 11 µm axially.
"The value of this work to the neuroscience community is evident in the immediate attention it attracted," says Orla Hanrahan of Andor. "And, because their imaging methodology can be applied quite simply and straightforwardly to existing microscopes, it should find immediate and widespread use." Unlike previous CMOS or CCD technologies, the Andor Zyla 5.5 sets radical new benchmarks in its unique ability to simultaneously deliver highest specifications in sensitivity, resolution, speed, dynamic range and field-of-view. The camera is based around a large 5.5 megapixel sensor with 6.5 µm pixels and a 22 mm diameter and is capable of 100 fps sustained (Camera Link; 40 fps, USB3), making it ideal for applications in cell microscopy, astronomy, digital pathology, and high content screening. The Rolling and Global shutter exposure modes further enhances application flexibility. Global shutter in particular offers an ideal means to simply and efficiently synchronize the Zyla with other 'moving' devices, such as stages or light switching sources, and eliminating the possibility of spatial distortion when imaging fast moving objects.
About the Vaziri Group
The focus of the Vaziri lab lies at the intersection between physics and neuroscience. It is interested in understanding how the information processing capabilities of the brain emerges from the dynamic interaction of the neuronal networks. Ultimately our aim is discover the computational principles underlying brain functions through the development of new types of microscopy techniques, in particular methods that allow high speed functional recording and manipulation of large neuronal populations.
The image above is available for download. Either click on the image or contact John Waite at Catalyst Communications. References
Robert Prevedel, Young-Gyu Yoon, Maximilian Hoffmann, Nikita Pak, Gordon Wetzstein, Saul Kato, Tina Schrodel,
Ramesh Raskar, Manuel Zimmer, Edward S. Boyden, Alipasha Vaziri. "Simultaneous whole-animal 3D-imaging of neuronal activity using light field microscopy" Nature Methods 11, 727-730 (2014) doi:10.1038/nmeth.2964
About Andor
Andor is a global leader in the pioneering and manufacturing of high performance scientific imaging cameras, spectroscopy solutions and microscopy systems for research and OEM markets. Andor has been innovating the photonics industry for over 20 years and continues to set the standard for high performance light measuring solutions, enabling its customers to break new ground by performing light measurements previously considered impossible. Andor's digital cameras, are allowing scientists around the world to measure light down to a single photon and capture events occurring within 1 billionth of a second.
Andor now has over 400 staff across 16 offices worldwide, distributing products to over 10,000 customers in 55 countries. Andor's products are used in a wide range of applications including medical research to further the understanding of heart disease, cancer and neuronal diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Andor also has applications for forensic science and astronomy. Through continuous dialogue with customers and strong teamwork, Andor continues to innovate ground-breaking products that improve the world in which we live.
More information is available at www.andor.com.
About Oxford Instruments plc
Oxford Instruments designs, supplies and supports high-technology tools and systems with a focus on research and industrial applications. Innovation has been the driving force behind Oxford Instruments' growth and success for over 50 years, and its strategy is to effect the successful commercialisation of these ideas by bringing them to market in a timely and customer-focused fashion.
The first technology business to be spun out from Oxford University, Oxford Instruments is now a global company with over 2300 staff worldwide and is listed on the FTSE250 index of the London Stock Exchange (OXIG). Its objective is to be the leading provider of new generation tools and systems for the research and industrial sectors with a focus on nanotechnology. Its key market sectors include nano-fabrication and nano-materials. The company's strategy is to expand the business into the life sciences arena, where nanotechnology and biotechnology intersect.
This involves the combination of core technologies in areas such as low temperature, high magnetic field and ultra-high vacuum environments; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; x-ray, electron, laser and optical based metrology; atomic force microscopy; optical imaging; advanced growth, deposition and etching.
Oxford Instruments aims to pursue responsible development and deeper understanding of our world through science and technology. Its products, expertise, and ideas address global issues such as energy, environment, security and health. For further information, please contact Andor Technology direct or their marketing agency, Catalyst Communications. Andor Technology plc.
Catalyst Communications
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2 Crispin Way
Springvale Business Park
Farnham Common
Belfast BT12 7AL
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+44 (0) 28 9027 0812
+44 (0) 1753 648 140
Andor website
press@andor.com
john.waite@catalystpr.com
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10th February 2015, Belfast, UK: The speed, resolution and sensitivity of the Andor Zyla sCMOS camera has allowed the Vaziri research group in Vienna, Austria, to simultaneously image neuronal activity across an entire organism for the first time. This profound advance follows closely on their innovative wide-field temporal focusing (WF-TeFo) two-photon approach to high-speed imaging of whole brains, which was also enabled by an Andor camera - the Neo sCMOS.
Publishing in Nature Methods, the team describe using their new technique of light-field deconvolution microscopy (LFDM) to map the simultaneous neuronal population activity of a whole nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans, as well as the whole-brain of zebrafish larvae in combination with sensory stimulation 20x faster than previously achieved using other techniques.
According to lead author, Dr Robert Prevedel, "LFDM elegantly combines light-field microscopy with 3D deconvolution and enables us to image a whole 3D-volume with a single exposure to a 2D sensor. This simultaneous 3D imaging is scan-less and involves no moving parts during acquisition, can be easily added to any commercial microscope, and is very cost-effective.
"Our experiments on whole organism imaging demonstrate the sheer power of LFDM for high-speed imaging, which is limited only by the camera frame-rate and the signal strength of the Ca-reporter. Our nuclear-confined Calcium-indicator, which visualises the activity of a neuron by increasing its fluorescence, was combined with the ultra-fast frame rate of the Andor Zyla 5.5 megapixel sCMOS camera for unambiguous discrimination of individual neurons across C. elegans. The 100 Hz full-frame Zyla camera was one of the two fastest sCMOS cameras available and in the development of our WF-TeFo microscopy technique we had been very satisfied with the performance of its predecessor, the 30 Hz Andor Neo."
Dr Prevedel describes the performance of the Zyla sCMOS camera as "flawless" and continues: "We especially liked the capability of the control software, SOLIS, to capture, stream and display the huge image data in real time and with minimal efforts. This way we could watch the data acquisition in real time and effortlessly browse through many GBs of recordings. In the end, we only needed to deploy the Zyla at 50 Hz but the extra speed capability may be very useful in future experiments."
Although light-field microscopy (LFM) has been successfully applied to imaging still and in-vitro biological samples, it has not been used for any functional biological imaging. This is due largely to its reduced spatial resolution compared to standard microscopy methods and the inherent trade-off between the spatial and axial resolution as well as axial imaging range. LFDM combines LFM with a 3D deconvolution algorithm whereby to achieve an effective resolution of approx. 1.4 µm and 2.6 µm in the lateral and axial dimensions respectively inside biological samples using a 40x objective while simultaneously recording neuronal population activity over a field of view of approx. 350 µm x 350 µm x 30 µm. This is sufficient to capture the dynamics of neurons distributed across the entire nervous system of C. elegans.
Using a 20x 0.5NA objective, the group also applied their imaging technique to capture the neuronal activity of zebrafish whole brains, were they achieved instantaneous imaging of massive field-of-views of 750 µm x 750 µm x 200 µm with spatial resolution of approx. 3.5 µm laterally and 11 µm axially.
"The value of this work to the neuroscience community is evident in the immediate attention it attracted," says Orla Hanrahan of Andor. "And, because their imaging methodology can be applied quite simply and straightforwardly to existing microscopes, it should find immediate and widespread use." Unlike previous CMOS or CCD technologies, the Andor Zyla 5.5 sets radical new benchmarks in its unique ability to simultaneously deliver highest specifications in sensitivity, resolution, speed, dynamic range and field-of-view. The camera is based around a large 5.5 megapixel sensor with 6.5 µm pixels and a 22 mm diameter and is capable of 100 fps sustained (Camera Link; 40 fps, USB3), making it ideal for applications in cell microscopy, astronomy, digital pathology, and high content screening. The Rolling and Global shutter exposure modes further enhances application flexibility. Global shutter in particular offers an ideal means to simply and efficiently synchronize the Zyla with other 'moving' devices, such as stages or light switching sources, and eliminating the possibility of spatial distortion when imaging fast moving objects.
About the Vaziri Group
The focus of the Vaziri lab lies at the intersection between physics and neuroscience. It is interested in understanding how the information processing capabilities of the brain emerges from the dynamic interaction of the neuronal networks. Ultimately our aim is discover the computational principles underlying brain functions through the development of new types of microscopy techniques, in particular methods that allow high speed functional recording and manipulation of large neuronal populations.
The image above is available for download. Either click on the image or contact John Waite at Catalyst Communications. References
About Andor
Andor is a global leader in the pioneering and manufacturing of high performance scientific imaging cameras, spectroscopy solutions and microscopy systems for research and OEM markets. Andor has been innovating the photonics industry for over 20 years and continues to set the standard for high performance light measuring solutions, enabling its customers to break new ground by performing light measurements previously considered impossible. Andor's digital cameras, are allowing scientists around the world to measure light down to a single photon and capture events occurring within 1 billionth of a second.
Andor now has over 400 staff across 16 offices worldwide, distributing products to over 10,000 customers in 55 countries. Andor's products are used in a wide range of applications including medical research to further the understanding of heart disease, cancer and neuronal diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Andor also has applications for forensic science and astronomy. Through continuous dialogue with customers and strong teamwork, Andor continues to innovate ground-breaking products that improve the world in which we live.
More information is available at www.andor.com.
About Oxford Instruments plc
Oxford Instruments designs, supplies and supports high-technology tools and systems with a focus on research and industrial applications. Innovation has been the driving force behind Oxford Instruments' growth and success for over 50 years, and its strategy is to effect the successful commercialisation of these ideas by bringing them to market in a timely and customer-focused fashion.
The first technology business to be spun out from Oxford University, Oxford Instruments is now a global company with over 2300 staff worldwide and is listed on the FTSE250 index of the London Stock Exchange (OXIG). Its objective is to be the leading provider of new generation tools and systems for the research and industrial sectors with a focus on nanotechnology. Its key market sectors include nano-fabrication and nano-materials. The company's strategy is to expand the business into the life sciences arena, where nanotechnology and biotechnology intersect.
This involves the combination of core technologies in areas such as low temperature, high magnetic field and ultra-high vacuum environments; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; x-ray, electron, laser and optical based metrology; atomic force microscopy; optical imaging; advanced growth, deposition and etching.
Oxford Instruments aims to pursue responsible development and deeper understanding of our world through science and technology. Its products, expertise, and ideas address global issues such as energy, environment, security and health. For further information, please contact Andor Technology direct or their marketing agency, Catalyst Communications. Andor Technology plc.
Catalyst Communications
Corporate Headquarters
The Annexe
7 Millennium Way
2 Crispin Way
Springvale Business Park
Farnham Common
Belfast BT12 7AL
Buckinghamshire SL2 3UE
+44 (0) 28 9027 0812
+44 (0) 1753 648 140
Andor website
press@andor.com
john.waite@catalystpr.com
Help employers find you! Check out all the jobs and post your resume.
