Current address: Center of Biotechnology, Technical University Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307 Dresden, Germany
1365-2818/asset/olbannerleft.gif?v=1&s=3e7715a77e575d8d52121de2f33a3eed8bfd8377)
1365-2818/asset/olbannerright.gif?v=1&s=f1ce9017463b2bf2b5e932f080ebd0d4062983d3)
LED illumination for video-enhanced DIC imaging of single microtubules
Article first published online: 21 MAR 2007
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2818.2007.01756.x
Additional Information
How to Cite
BORMUTH, V., HOWARD, J. and SCHÄFFER, E. (2007), LED illumination for video-enhanced DIC imaging of single microtubules. Journal of Microscopy, 226: 1–5. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2818.2007.01756.x
- †
Current address: Center of Biotechnology, Technical University Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307 Dresden, Germany
Publication History
- Issue published online: 21 MAR 2007
- Article first published online: 21 MAR 2007
- Received 15 September 2006; accepted 3 January 2007
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- DIC;
- differential interference contrast;
- LED;
- light emitting diode;
- microtubules;
- optical tweezers;
- video-enhanced
Summary
In many applications high-resolution video-enhanced differential interference contrast microscopy is used to visualize and track the ends of single microtubules. We show that single ultrabright light emitting diodes from Luxeon can be used to replace conventional light sources for these kinds of applications without loss of function. We measured the signal-to-noise ratio of microtubules imaged with three different light emitting diode colours (blue, red, green). The blue light emitting diode performed best, and the signal-to-noise ratios were high enough to automatically track the ends of dynamic microtubules. Light emitting diodes as light sources for video-enhanced differential interference contrast microscopy are high performing, low-cost and easy to align alternatives to existing illumination solutions.