MetaMorph Acquisition & Device Control
Molecular Devices offers complete hardware solutions, integrated with MetaMorph imaging software, to meet a wide variety of cellular imaging needs. MetaMorph enables researchers to control their microscope and associated peripherals for fast, automated image acquisition.
Multi Dimensional Imaging
MetaMorph is optimized for multi dimensional experiments, enabling the acquisition and display of:
- Z-series (Z dimension)
- Multiple fluorochromes (wavelength dimension)
- Time lapse (time dimension)
- Multiple stage positions (stage dimension)
The Multi Dimensional Acquisition dialog box guides users through the setup of each acquisition dimensions. Microscope and hardware controls are integrated within MetaMorph and illumination, magnification, and XYZ location settings are easily accessed from the menu. MetaMorph's customizable auto-focus capabilities keep lengthy time dependent events in focus.
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Dendritic cells loaded with FURA 2 AM
Dendritic cells were loaded with FURA 2 AM and a scrape was made across the field of view using a fine micropipette tip. Following the scrape, the cells were left to stabilize for 10 minutes and then imaged using a Nikon 2000e2 microscope and MetaMorph. The cells were poked with a micro injection tip. A calcium flux is seen to radiate out from the original cell across the dish and the flux is carried down the tunneling nanotubules. Results show that the flux did not cross the gap where the scrape occurred. Images courtesy of Simon C. Watkins Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA.
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For any multi-dimensional experiment, users can:
- Align images within a stack
- Create a montage
- Create and play a movie exportable as QuickTimeŽ or AVI
- Render a 3D reconstruction
- Create Z-series projections
- Color-combine images
- Measure through all planes automatically
- Enhance any or all images
- Deconvolve the images
- Create topographic surface maps
- Perform arithmetic operations
- View orthogonal planes
- Stitch a stack of images
- Visualize the experiment in 3 dimensions and obtain 3D measurements
Other Typical Acquisitions
For researchers who do not need the flexibility of Multi Dimensional Acquisition, MetaMorph also provides single-dimension acquisition tools for Z-series, time lapse or multiple wavelengths.
Device Control
MetaMorph provides high-end control for automated microscopes, motorized filter wheels shutters, monochromators, Z motors, Piezo electric focus devices, motorized stages, digital and serial input/output to communicate with unique devices, and robotic devices from major manufacturers.
For a complete list of supported hardware, visit our Support Site.
Video and Digital Cameras
Users have the flexibility to set exposure time, binning mode, gain levels, camera speed, bit depth, subregion acquisition area, and other advanced camera-specific parameters. Simultaneous acquisition from two cameras is supported.
Researchers have the flexibility to set exposure time, select a subregion acquisition area, binning mode, gain levels, camera speed, bit depth, and other parameters specific to the camera type and model. MetaMorph supports all the features for a specific camera model and not just the singular ability to snap an image. Simultaneous acquisition from two cameras is possible.
Fast Acquisition
For increased speed, Molecular Devices' proprietary Device Sstreaming feature enables the capture of images at the maximum rate of the hardware and high-speed synchronization with other devices during acquisition. This feature takes advantage of a camera's ability to simultaneously transfer an image to memory and acquire the next image, providing the fastest possible acquisition, and giving users the ability to capture rapid cellular events.
During this fast streaming, a pseudo-live image can be displayed, allowing for interactive change in focus or adjustment of sample conditions during the acquisition..
Live Replay
MetaMorph's Live Replay feature is designed for capturing real time events such as in FRAP, FRET and other laser-based studies, time lapse experiments, live cell imaging and digital microscopy. When in Live Mode, the software can be configured to constantly buffer a specified duration of recent live video to memory. This buffer allows the interactive capture of complete events of interest, including the buffered duration leading up to the event.
Scan Slide
The Scan Slide module can be configured to automatically scan an area larger than the field of view by acquiring multiple images and stitching them together—ideal for large tissue samples. Users simply choose the top left corner and bottom right corner of the desired area to acquire, and MetaMorph does the rest. Once MetaMorph has scanned the area and tiled the images on-the-fly, users can select a region of interest and view a high resolution image that is automatically stitched. Module includes a step-by-step calibration wizard.
Read more about MetaMorph: processing, analysis, customization.
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