摘要:
A scanning confocal microscope scans a sample with an incident beam of radiation, in a raster scan pattern, causing the sample to fluoresce and emit visible radiation in at least two wavelengths. A portion of the fluorescent light retraces a portion of the path optical of incident beam, to a dichroic mirror that separates it from the incident beam for detection by a pair of photomultiplier tubes. A data processor accumulates digital data from the photomultiplier tubes to form a succession of image data frames of the sample being scanned, in the two wavelengths. Image data for a selected number of frames in each wavelength is averaged and then recorded on a single track of a recording system, in an alternating fashion with averaged data for the other wavelength. In addition, a ratio of the averaged data for the two wavelengths is delivered to a video display.
摘要:
Methods and compositions are provided for determining the potential of a membrane. In one aspect, the method comprises: (a) introducing a first reagent comprising a hydrophobic fluorescent ion capable of redistributing from a first face of the membrane to a second face of the membrane in response to changes in the potential of the membrane, as described by the Nernst equation, (b) introducing a second reagent which labels the first face or the second face of the membrane, which second reagent comprises a chromophore capable of undergoing energy transfer by either (i) donating excited state energy to the fluorescent ion, or (ii) accepting excited state energy from the fluorescent ion, (c) exposing the membrane to radiation; (d) measuring energy transfer between the fluorescent ion and the second reagent, and (e) relating the energy transfer to the membrane potential. Energy transfer is typically measured by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. In some embodiments the first and second reagents are bound together by a suitable linker. In one aspect the method is used to identify compounds which modulate membrane potentials in biological membranes.
摘要:
The invention provides recombinant nucleic acid molecules comprising expression control sequences adapted for function in a vertebrate cell operably linked to a nucleotide sequence coding for the expression of beta-lactamase. Further, this invention concerns methods for determining the amount of beta-lactamase activity in a cell.