title: An integrating averager of microspectrofluorometric signals.
abstract: Optical signals are used to measure a variety of cell events; in particular, ratiometric fluorescent dyes offer diverse applications, but bring with them the difficult analytical problem of obtaining optical signals at rapidly alternating wavelengths. An improved method for using a computer to record these optical signals is described, and an example record of a Ca+2 transient given. A second technical problem is that ultraviolet (UV) light is required to excite many fluorescent dyes; many common lenses cannot transmit UV light. This article describes the tests needed to measure and optimize the optical path taken by light through a microscope and provides examples with sample lenses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216-4505.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Dwyer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D004581:Electronics; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium