| Features |
 |
BD Pathway |
|
Other Systems |
|
Benefits |
| True Confocal |
Proven Nipkow system can be moved in or out of the lightpath |
Absent/slit-scan/or not implemented for 3D reconstruction |
Develop 3D images and z-stacks
Run homogeneous assays without interfering fluorescence background |
| Full-spectrum |
Dual-lamp system with 16 excitation filters |
Limited by lasers, or only provide 6 to 10 excitation filters |
Work with a greater range of fluorescence dyes
No laser maintenance
Multiplex a broader range of dyes |
| Kinetic or end-point capabilities |
Sub-second kinetics, time-lapse, or endpoint with image-as-you-add capabilities |
Separate systems may be required to run kinetic assays. May also be limited in high-speed kinetic measurements |
Select timepoints that best fit your assays
Run ion kinetics, translocations, or single-point assays on a single machine |
| Flexible software |
Sophisticated segmentation and novel boolean classification quickly and easily categorize cellular responses |
Many systems require costly algorithms to be purchased to run assays |
Configurable software enables easier integration of your assays
Lower software costs |
| On-the-fly analysis |
See responses as they unfold and make changes on-the-fly |
Many systems perform batch analysis after capturing images |
No waiting for results - watch the data in real-time
Terminate faulty experiments without losing time or reagents |
| Direct viewing of sample |
Integrated binocular viewing port allows direct sample evaluation |
Direct viewing is not possible on most systems |
Use the system as a stand-alone confocal microscope for a "quick-look"
Run a quality check on the data by visual inspection |
| Ultra-precise x,y,z positioning |
Objective moves with 100 nm precision in x and y (50 nm in Z) |
Most available x,y,z stages offer 1 micron precision at best |
Revisit cells to within one pixel of the original field of view. Capture montaged images of samples larger than the field of view |
| Environmental control |
Temperature and CO2 regulated environmental chamber |
Only available on more expensive systems offering kinetic capabilities |
Work with living cells over long periods of time without needing to move plate from stage |
| Liquid handling |
Single-channel pipettor allows image-as-you-add liquid addition and mixing at any position of the imaging plate |
Other systems often require moving the plate from the imaging stage to allow pipetting |
Allows detection of rapid events occurring immediately following compound addition without imaging lag |
