Olympus Introduces Innovative Software Solution

Researchers using microscopy for cell and tissue imaging can now obtain optical resolution of up to 120nm, thanks to a novel software upgrade from Olympus. With Olympus FV-OSR software, the FluoView® FV1200 confocal laser scanning microscope is transformed into a powerful system for super resolution microscopy.

Introducing a smart route to super resolution, the Olympus FV-OSR software module enables FV1200 microscope users easy access to what was previously the sole domain of highly specialized microscopy systems. The extra detail offered by super resolution technology helps researchers reveal the subtlest mechanisms at work within cells or tissue.

Although three-dimensional (3D) confocal laser scanning microscopy achieves vastly improved lateral and axial resolution compared to standard widefield imaging, it is still limited by the diffraction limit of light. In certain settings, images can greatly benefit from enhanced contrast after post-acquisition processing. This is where super resolution microscopy comes into play, breaking the diffraction limit of light and enhancing cell- and tissue-imaging studies.

Until now, access to this technology demanded substantial investment, but Olympus is leading the change in making this technique accessible and easy to use for the life science research community.

Drawing on the latest Olympus optical and digital technologies, the FV1200 microscope now can be transformed into a system capable of reaching a resolution of up to 120nm, with simultaneous multicolor capture.

The proprietary technology of FV-OSR software controls specific hardware settings and advanced signal processing. Operation has been designed with users in mind, and requires only minimal training to achieve expert results. The software, together with the high-sensitivity gallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP) detector with its superior signal-to-noise ratio, boosts resolution.

Capitalizing on the flexibility of the modular Olympus IX83 automated inverted microscope platform, the FV1200 system is optimized for a diverse array of live cell imaging applications including fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), fluorescence loss in photobleaching (FLIP), and photoactivation.

Capable of handling up to five simultaneous fluorescent detection channels, the FV1200 also includes the industry’s first dedicated laser light stimulation scanner (SIM Scanner), achieving simultaneous stimulation and imaging for real-time visualization of rapid cell responses.

Building upon this impressive portfolio, super resolution technology is expanding the possibilities of discovery in live cell imaging.