Confocal
Atto's proprietary confocal system utilizes state-of-the-art Nipkow spinning disk confocal optics to generate high-resolution images that can reveal significantly more biological detail than conventional wide-field optics. For more detail on the confocal technology employed in the BD Pathway system, click here.

Figure 1. BD Pathway™ confocal imaging reduces photobleaching. Primary neurons were analyzed using a membrane potential dye that is susceptible to photobleaching. Graph shows the ability of Atto's confocal technology to minimize photobleaching after 100 seconds of exposure. Non-confocal images show lower resolution images and photobleaching of fluorescent dye.

Kinetics or end-point in one
Rather than requiring separate systems for kinetic and end-point assays, the Pathway system was designed to handle both. In kinetic mode you can watch the signal unfold as the assay runs, and take advantage of rates of change information rather than simply static measurements. Kinetic measurements can also help to identify timepoints most suitable to scoring a biological event. For more information on kinetic or end-point assays, click here.

Figure 2. Differential cellular responses in calcium in VR-1 transfected NIH-3T3 cells. Fura-2 calcium traces of individual cells indicate heterogeneous cellular responses to stimuli.Ê Cells courtesy Dr. Mike Iadorola, NIH

Ultra-precise repositioning system
State-of-the-art linear positioning motors make it possible to go back to cells you have previously imaged with precision of less than 50 nm in X and Y and 100 nm in Z. It is possible to image whole organisms or large tissue specimens that exceed the field of view, and to interleave data points to increase overall throughput of the system.

Dual-lamp full-spectrum system
Take advantage of the broad range of fluorophores available for your experiments without limitations. You are no longer constrained by the costs or limited spectrum of lasers. The two lamps allow unparalleled flexibility with up to 16 excitation filters opening up a wide range of experimental options. And, you can rapidly shutter between the two lamps without needing to move filter wheels - increasing the speed of multiple dye assays.

Figure 3. Nile Red Steatosis/cytotoxicity assay - lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells Hoechst, Nile Red and Sytox Green Cells were incubated with 30uM amiodarone for 20hrs and imaged using a 40X objective

Flexible Software
AttoVision software provides a high-level of flexible data analysis options. The software uses intuitive programming macros to easily build a method into the system. The software also allows control by third party automation scheduling software to enable robotics integration in your laboratory. With AttoVision, most algorithms can be developed by simply configuring the software to measure, calculate, and output data from a variety of possible segmented regions of interest. More detailed information on the software can be found here.

On-the-fly-analysis
The Pathway HT captures images and processes the data while the objective is moving from well-to-well. Since you can view the data while the plate is being run, you can make decisions about data quality earlier, and make corrections before spending the time and reagents capturing data on an entire plate. And, when the plate is finished being imaged, your data is ready for further analysis - there is no waiting to batch process the images off-line.

Direct sample viewing
Now you can have a look at those cells you are about to image directly and see with your own eyes if the experiment is telling you what you want to know. Or, if you have a single slide and want to just have a quick look, you can - even in confocal mode.

Figure 4. Direct binocular view is possible on the BD Pathway. Direct sample viewing allows you to take advantage of the Pathway's superior optical design to view specimens on multi-well plates or even slides. Samples can even be viewed directly in confocal mode.

For technical specifications of the BD Pathway, click here.