title: In vivo real-time recording of UV-induced changes in the autofluorescence of a melanin-containing fungus using a micro-spectrofluorimeter and a low-cost webcam.
abstract: An optical epifluorescence microscope, coupled to a CCD camera, a standard webcam and a microspectrofluorimeter, are used to record in vivo real-time changes in the autofluorescence of spores and hyphae in Aspergillus niger, a fungus containing melanin, while exposed to UV irradiation. The results point out major changes in both signal intensity and the spectral shape of the autofluorescence signal after only few minutes of exposure, and can contribute to the interpretation of data obtained with other fluorescence techniques, including those, such as GPF labeling, in which endogenous fluorophores constitute a major disturbance.
authors.affiliation: Nello Carrara Applied Physics Institute - National Research Council, Via Madonna del Piano 10, I- 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy. v.raimondi@ifac.cnr.it
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Raimondi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Agati
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cecchi
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gomoiu
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lognoli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palombi
mesh_terms: D001234:Aspergillus niger / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003199:Computer Systems; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D020407:Internet / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins