In the September 2010 BioTechiques editorial, we surveyed a handful of applications designed with the bench scientist in mind.
In the "iPad Apps for Scientists" article series, we expand upon that collection to include useful iPad and iPhone applications for life scientists.
We encourage you to join in the discussion by sharing your favorite apps in the Molecular Biology Forums.
Other "iPad Apps for Scientsist" articles: Fluorescent imaging | Scientific calculators | Taking PubMed to the next level | Proteins on display
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Fluorescent imaging provides biologists with an unparalleled tool to visualize and identify biological components, from mitochondria to mammalian organs. Now, the mobile scientist can preview these imaging techniques on their iPads, thanks to two free apps provided by industry suppliers.
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3D Cell Simulation and Stain Tool
The 3D Cell Simulation and Stain Tool, developed by Life Technologies for the iPad, allows users to rotate a cell animation 360° while flipping through fact sheets about individual organelles for a brief review of cellular anatomy.
But the staining tool is where things get really interesting. Within the cell staining interface, users can target certain cellular features by choosing a color and then the stains available from Invirtogen, which is part of Life Technologies, for that organelle in that color. Each stain is identified for either live- or fixed-cell applications, and users can mix and match as many stains on as many structures as they like in order to preview their hypothetical cell. These previews can be saved or emailed to other users.
Further, each stain includes catalog information from Invitrogen as well as an external link so users can purchase the stain immediately if they choose.
The app’s only drawback is the limited color spectrum: for example, though several different stains may exist in the far-red spectrum, all four appear exactly the same on the prototype. With the limited spectral dyes, it’s difficult to visualize what a sample with more than four stains will look like, or determine whether it's possible to apply more than four stains to a sample.
Name: 3D Cell Simulation and Stain Tool (iTunes Store)
Price: Free
Platforms: iPad
Published by: Life Technologies
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IVIS Imaging iPhone/iPad Application
The Caliper Life Sciences IVIS Imaging application, with platforms for both the iPad and the iPhone, allows potential researcher to explore the in vivo bioluminescent and fluorescent imaging and analysis possibilities of the IVIS Optical Imaging platform. This free demo includes examples of fluorescence spectral unmixing, diffuse luminescence imaging tomography (DLIT), fluorescent imaging tomography (FLIT)–based 3-D reconstructions, kinetic imaging, and Lumina XR capabilities. Additionally, the demo guides potential users through sample emission and excitation filter selections for all of the above imaging processes.
The demo app does an efficient job of walking a potential user through the various possible permutations of IVIS imaging and analysis programs. Sample images of mice undergoing various IVIS programs illustrate the range of imaging processes available with IVIS, and although it is assumed that the user is already familiar with IVIS, the app itself is simple enough to navigate and explore. The filter selection tool, in particular, is quite useful; recommended filters, based on the selected imaging protocol, are graphically represented to show the peak excitation and emission values. Since it is only a demo, the app ostensibly functions more as an interactive advertisement for the IVIS technology than a laboratory tool. That being said, it may still be a useful download for researchers who wish to try out the technology before purchasing it for their lab.
Name: IVIS Imaging iPhone/iPad Application (iTunes Store)
Price: Free
Platforms: iPad and iPhone
Published by: Caliper Life Sciences
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We encourage you to join in the discussion by sharing your favorite apps in the Molecular Biology Forums.
Other "iPad Apps for Scientsist" articles: Fluorescent imaging | Scientific calculators | Taking PubMed to the next level | Proteins on display
