LED for fluorescence

[sandra schulze]

Hello all, and seasonal greetings!

I am considering purchasing a fluorescence scope for my lab. this
is a work-horse scope - for trouble shooting, getting incubation and
fixation times right etc. The pretty pictures will be taken at a core
facility, with a fancy schmanzy scope.

The fluors I use are DAPI, FITC and/or GFP, TRITC and/or rhodamine.

I want to avoid yucky mercury or metal halide lamps wot might get left
on and blow up or at the least cost a fortune to replace. I am
considering a bottom of the line research grade scope (I think called
Aksioscop A1) from Zeiss with their clever LED illumination source.
This source includes separate LEDs for each excitation frequency.

Anybody out there have experience with this? It aint cheap but i have
the money now and probably never will again so carpe diem etc. (or
perhaps caveat emptor???).

Hugely greatful for any feedback,

Thanks,

Sandra

[Dr Mephesto]

I built my own LED system a few years ago, for measuring voltage sensitive dyes in neuronal culture, as HBO lamps are not bright enough at the required wavelengths. They are great! no warm-up time, instant on, so no need for shutters, and cheap if you DIY.

-David