Abrio LS
Abrio LS enables label-free and non-invasive observation and quantitative imaging of birefringent structures such as the mitotic or meiotic spindles and cytoskeletal filaments in living cells, or collagen structures in unstained tissue sections. Because the Abrio LS system does not require the use of any labels or stains, the biology of structures being studied is unaltered, yet the detail provided in the images is on par with fluorescence imagery. Abrio LS is capable of measuring in real-time what typically takes days to achieve using other methods. The movie-capture capability can track cell behavior over time and automatically record data points of molecular density and orientation to accurately detect subtle changes in molecular organization. Abrio LS has been validated for use in imaging and measuring collagen organization in tissue sections, cartilage in bone, muscle organization in various physiological conditions, spindle dynamics in dividing cells and even mapping the intricate details in microscopic organisms such as C. elegans, plant root stems, paramecia and embryos.
The Abrio LS system is an easy add-on to existing microscopes and can be combined with other imaging modes. The core optical components of the system include a circular polarizer and interference filter (CPIF) that fit into an open position in the condenser turret, a liquid crystal universal compensator that fits into the analyzer slot of the microscope. A scientific-grade megapixel CCD camera and powerful software complete the system.
Series of images taken of cells, tissue and bone: first in series shows a conventional video image taken of astrocytes, followed by the Abrio image of the same cells. Tissue is of liver fibrosis stained with trichrome imaged in brightfield, then in Abrio, then shown as a composite Abrio+Brightfield overlay. Finally, a bone sample is imaged in conventional video, then shown in Abrio retardance grayscale, Abrio retardance pseudo-color followed by Abrio orientation pseudo-color, respectively.
Bone sample courtesy P Zyssett, Univ of Vienna. Tissue sample courtesy M Feldman, UPenn.
