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TimeMaster™ Lifetime Microscopy
PTI's TimeMaster™ Lifetime Microscopy system (TM-50) is a unique microscope-based fluorescence lifetime spectrometer. The TM-50 provides unsurpassed wavelength coverage from 240 nm (frequency-doubler option required) to 990 nm. A very intense pulses make it ideal for weak samples, while the low repetition rate prevents photodecomposition. The TM-50 uses PTI's specially designed photometer in conjunction with a proprietary fluorescence lifetime detection system. The TM-50 is a powerful, cost-effective, easy-to-use fluorescence lifetime system that can be used with virtually any fluorescence microscope.
Recommended applications include:
- Fluorescence Lifetime Microscopy of Labeled Cells
- Measurement of Intracellular Ions
- Lifetime-based Oxygen Sensing
- Lymphocytes Screening for Cancer
- Multiphase Systems
- Surface Photochemistry
- Materials Research
Fluorescence detection techniques are
well established in cell biology.
Fluorescence microscopy is widely used
to visualize microscopic structures and
functional properties of cellular
organelles. One of the most important
features of fluorescence techniques is
that commercially available fluorescent
probes can provide information about
various properties of their local
environment in the cell. They can be
used to monitor pH, viscosity,
concentration of metal ions, polarity,
molecular oxygen, conformational
changes of the host environment etc.
Measurable parameters that are affected
by these factors are the fluorescence
spectrum, lifetime, quantum yield and
anisotropy of the fluorophores. While
the steady-state (intensity) measurement
can reflect some of these changes, the
time-resolved (lifetime) measurement
will give a more detailed insight into the
mechanism of the process under study.
Lifetime-based measurements are
especially desirable, because unlike the
intensity, the fluorescence lifetime is
independent of the local fluorophore
concentration. The Stray light is less
of a problem in lifetime measurements
and the technique can also be used to
differentiate between fluorescent probes
with overlapping spectra but different
lifetimes. The time-resolved technique is
also a powerful tool to study chemical
systems such as colloids, liquid crystals, polymers, phase transition temperatures
etc.
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