title: Use of confocal imaging in the study of biological structures.
abstract: Scanning confocal microscopy offers several potential advantages for light microscope studies of biological material. Foremost amongst these is the rejection of interfering signals from out-of-focus structures, which often seriously degrade images. The degradation in image quality with epifluorescence microscopy is particularly pronounced; an unfortunate situation, as this is one of the most commonly used techniques in biological research. Confocal imaging almost completely eliminates this problem and therefore promises to have a wide application in this area. We have developed a high-speed beam scanning confocal imaging system that can be used in conjunction with a conventional microscope, and have examined a variety of biological material using this system. In all cases we have found that confocal imaging gives a marked improvement in quality over conventional techniques. viewed with epifluorescence.
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Amos
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fordham