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This
upright epifluorescence microscope is equipped with a DVC colour digital camera,
motorised x-,y-stage, motorised focus control and
MicroBrightField's Neurolucida, Stereo Investigator
and VirtualSlice
software.
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Stereology
The term stereology was coined in
the 1960’s to describe a suite of techniques to extract
3-dimensional data from 2-dimensional images. Since its
inception stereological methodology has advanced rapidly in
sophistication and with is widely accepted as the most
unbiased and reproducible method for enumerating cells of the
central nervous system when properly implemented.
H&E stained mouse brain section with
optical-dissector probe |
Image Tiling and Stitching
The
Virtual Slice
software on the system allows automatic acquisition of
sequential fields of view. The software then automatically
stitches them together to generate high magnification, large
format image. The software will also create navigable Zoomify
images. Click here for an example.
H&E stained mouse brain section.
Sample provided by R. Venugopalan and S. Nag (TWRI) |
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Neuronal Tracing
Neurolucida provides a number of functions for
3D-tracing, reconstruction and analysis. The software also
allows tissue mapping, serial sections reconstruction and is
capable of morphometric analysis.
3D reconstructions of mouse CA1 hippocampal
interneurons traced with Neurolucida. Axons coloured red; soma
and dendrites coloured black. Sample provided by F. Saraga
(TWRI). |
True Colour Imaging
The microscope is also configured for high-quality colour
imaging
of specimens prepared
with conventional histology stains.
Masson's trichrome stained heart section. Specimen
provided by H. Arthurs (Carl Zeiss Canada) |
