Matching objective lenses to experimental needs and budgets

Effective imaging of biological specimens with a microscope requires a firm understanding of the physical properties of different objective lenses in order to select the most appropriate lens for a particular application. In this tutorial webinar, McGill University researcher Claire M. Brown will provide an in-depth introduction to the uses and applications of different microscope objective lenses in biological imaging. Topics will be organized into sections that focus on the needs of the researcher.

Specifically, you will learn about:

• Resolution in the x- and y-axes – numerical aperture, refractive index, and magnification

• Nyquist-Shannon sampling – camera-based versus confocal laser scanning microscopes; artifacts

• Sensitivity and speed – light transmission and brightness

• Resolution in the z-axis – spherical aberrations

• Multi-color applications – chromatic aberrations

• Other lens aberrations

• Cost considerations when selecting objective lense

Featured speaker:

Claire M. Brown
McGill University

Dr. Brown is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology at McGill University, where she uses advanced light microscopy methods to study the molecular mechanisms regulating cell adhesion and migration.

Dr. Brown is also the Director of the McGill University Advanced BioImaging Facility (ABIF). The ABIF serves hundreds of research labs across Montreal and is also dedicated to the development of protocols and standards for testing the quality of light microscopes to enable microscopists to validate and maintain their equipment. She is also developing light engineering techniques to optimize live imaging applications.