Microscopy

Optical density measurements

We use digital densitometry (DD) to measure proteoglycan (PG) concentration of Safranin-O stained histological sections. Measurements are conducted with Leiz Orthoplan microscope and images are captured with peltier-cooled 12-bit CCD-camera (Fig. 1). Calibration, image capturing and required calculations are fully controlled with computer. The calibration is conducted with neutral density filter set.

Fig 1. Digital densitometry workstation.

Polarized light microscopy

We have developed an enhanced polarized light microscope (ePLM), which is capable of measuring birefringence, orientation and anisotropy of any birefringent material. Polarization optics are replaced with precision grade components and placed to computer controlled rotation tables. The system is controlled with Macintosh G4 computer using IpLab 3.55 software (Fig. 2).

Features:

  • System can measure birefringence, orientation and anisotropy of collagen network
  • Orientation independent measurement – all fibrils are measured with equal sensitivity
  • Each pixel is individually calibrated for birefringence measurement – perfect calibrations (r2=1.000)
  • Precise system – coefficient of variation 0.7%
  • Wide dynamic range in detection – 12-bit camera
  • Highly stable measurement system – 0.8% change over 5 hours in measured light intensity
Fig 2. Enhanced polarized light microscope (ePLM).

Electron microscopy

We have Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) devices at our disposal at SIB-Labs at the University of Eastern Finland.

Confocal microscopy

We have a confocal laser scanning microscope at our disposal at Institute of Biomedicine at the University of Eastern Finland.