Computer-assisted microfluorometry.
The paper describes an automated microscope fluorometer, based on a Leitz MPV compact system. Automation of the system was provided by an Apple II personal computer thus greatly simplifying operating procedures and increasing measuring speed. The computer system was programmed in BASIC supplemented by a few assembly-level subroutines, necessary for the on-line visualization of results and key-touch control of plot features. Automation resulted in enhancement of measuring precision, due to the greater number of cells that could be analyzed within reasonable time, and to standardization of the measuring procedure itself. Moreover, computer-controlled acquisition made it possible to exploit fast averaging data detection thus enabling the signal-to-noise ratio to be increased and the part of coefficient of variation due to instrumental variability to be diminished. A program for cytophotometric measurements on two separate cell populations from the same slide is described.
Dipartimento di Biologia Animale dell'Università, Pavia, Italy.
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PA
Giordano
D003592:Cytophotometry / Q000379:methods*; D001330:Electronic Data Processing / Q000379:methods*; D008838:Microcomputers