Nuclear Architecture: Image Processing and Analyses

Cancer is one of the most well-known groups of diseases that finds its cause in cells having chromosomal aberrations. How and why these aberrations can occur is one of the most important questions asked in modern molecular biology. In the last decades it has become clear that gene regulation in the nucleus, where the chromosomes reside, is...

Photonic calibration for fluorescence microscopy

Based upon a collection of compact LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and a compact photodiode, we have developed a calibration tool for fluorescence microscopes that are used as digital imaging devices. The entire device (excluding a USB connector) measures 25 mm x 80 mm x 12 mm. Virtually all commonly-used fluorophores can be simulated with one of...

A new optical method for characterizing single molecule interactions based on dark field microscopy

Single-molecule techniques continue to gain in popularity in research disciplines such as the study of intermolecular interactions. These techniques provide information that otherwise would be lost by using bulk measurements that deal with a large number of molecules. We describe in this report the motion of tethered DNA molecules that have been...

Absolute fluorescence calibration

While fluorescence microscope systems remains an essential tool in modern biology and medical work, no compact instrumentation has been developed for the rapid calibration of such systems. Almost invariably results are presented in terms of the [AU], "arbitrary units". To remedy this situation we have developed a small, portable instrument - the...

Three-dimensional analysis tool for segmenting and measuring the structure of telomeres in mammalian nuclei

Quantitative analysis in combination with fluorescence microscopy calls for innovative digital image measurement tools. We have developed a three-dimensional tool for segmenting and analyzing FISH stained telomeres in interphase nuclei. After deconvolution of the images, we segment the individual telomeres and measure a distribution parameter we...