You are here:
EVALUATION OF CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY SYSTEM PERFORMANCE: PRETTY PICTURES OR CONFOCAL QA
Citation:
Zucker, R M. EVALUATION OF CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY SYSTEM PERFORMANCE: PRETTY PICTURES OR CONFOCAL QA. Presented at ISAC Meeting, San Diego, CA, May 4-9, 2002.
Description:
Evaluation of confocal microscopy system performance: Pretty pictures or confocal QA?
Robert M. Zucker
Reproductive Toxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
The confocal laser-scanning microscope (CLSM) has enormous potential in many biological fields. It is surprising that procedures to test the performance of these machines are not done routinely by most investigators. Without functional tests many of the machines may be working at sub optimal performance levels. If tests are made, the usual assessment of functionally is accomplished by subjectively evaluating the optical system using a histological test slide provided by each user?s laboratory to create a ?pretty picture?. Tests methods have been devised on the Leica TCS-SP1 and TCS-4D systems to ensure that these machines were working properly and delivering their correct performance. Tests were derived or perfected that measure field illumination, lens clarity, laser power, laser stability, dichroic functionality, spectral registration, axial resolution, scanning stability, overall machine stability, and system noise. It is anticipated this type of data will help to set performance standards for confocal microscopes and eliminate the current subjectivity in evaluating the CLSM. These tests will also serve as a guide for other investigators to insure that their machines are working correctly to provide data that is accurate with the necessary resolution, sensitivity and precision.