cellFRAP: High Speed Live-cell Imaging from Olympus

Olympus presents the cellFRAP, a live cell imaging platform for the in-vivo analysis of dynamic processes by accurate and flexible photomanipulation techniques.

cellFRAP´s main feature is the diffraction-limited laser spot. The system allows to place the spot anywhere in the field of view with great accuracy and shape flexibility, enabling greater bleaching control than other systems. The cellFRAP deck can easily be incorporated to any imaging platform thanks to compatible accesories and the open source frame Olympus IX3. The Olympus cellSens Graphical Experiment Manager provides simple system set-up and experiment control.

cellFRAP features

• Highest spatial and temporal resolution in photomanipulation applications:  The diffraction-limited spot allows unparalleled bleaching accuracy. The Olympus Real-time controller permits a 200 µs delay between bleach and postbleach acquisition.
• Diffraction-limited laser spot: High bleaching intensity and accuracy without moving the sample. Optogenetics applications.
• Reproducibility: High system-level synchronization at ~1 µs temporal resolution. Documentation of experiment workflow.
• Straightforward setup and control: Intuitive system, integrated into cellSens. Automated calibration.
• Interactive experiment control: Predefine areas of interest in the field of view, also “Click & Bleach” mode. Intensity profile display.
• Data evaluation method: Time marks for every manipulation. Qualitative FRAP analysis. Kymograph for timeline visualization. Data export function.
• Flexibility: adaptable to existing imaging platforms.Combines with ZDC, climate chambers, stages and manipulators allowing synchronization with spinnind-disk and TIRF microscopy.

cellFRAP applications

• Photoactivation and photoswitching: use of fluorophores to tag and track molecules.
• ‘Click and Bleach’: use the mouse to instantly target and bleach any point in the field of view during an experiment.
• Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching: FRAP calculates the coefficient of diffusion of a molecule within an area.
• Fluorescence loss in photobleaching: FLIP calculates lateral membrane fluidity and membrane continuity.
• Fluorescence localization after photobleaching: FLAP adapts FRAP to follow dynamics of a particular molecular species.

Source: Olympus