Academic Press Video Microscopy (Volume 56) (Methods in Cell Biology, Volume 56)

Video microscopy is used extensively in many life and biomedical science disciplines today, and is a useful tool for both cell biologists and students. This book presents how to track the dynamic changes that take place in the structure of living cells and in reconstituted preparations using video and digital imaging microscopy. Basic information, principles, and applications are also covered, as well as more specialized video microscopy techniques. Chapters cover the commonly used video technologies in biological researchNontechnical presentation of principlesEmphasis on the practical aspects of instrument useCovers pitfalls in instrument uses that can lead to artifactsAuthors are leaders in the design and application of video methods to biological microscopyPresentation of material tailored for the established researcher that has little experience with video methodsExamples are extensively illustrated with photographs Review "The contributors are experts in the field... The number and quality of illustrations, of all types, are excellent. This is to be expected of a book in this series... This is an excellent guide for scientists who wish to set up a modern video microscopy facility in their laboratory. Individuals who plan to actually have such a facility will want to own a copy of the book. It will also be a valuable resource for a life science library." --Alvin Telser, PhD, Northwestern University Medical School, for DOODY'S PUBLISHING REVIEWS"...there is much useful information in this volume that is not readily found in the journal literature, such as detailed reviews of perfusion chambers, discussions of microscope alignment, how to mate video cameras to microscopes, and how to optimize camera and monitor adjustments. In fact, this is exactly the type of "hands on" extremely useful information that is provided in a good course. In short, this volume edited by Sluder and Wolf provides very useful information for the practicing video microscopist." --Steven L. Goodman, University of Connecticut Health Center, in JOURNAL OF SCANNING MICROSCOPIES Review Selected as one of the 250 Best Books of 1998 by DOODY'S JOURNAL! From the Back Cover Video Microscopy instructs researchers in the principles and practice of video microscopy for a wide variety of research applications. Because video microscopy involves an integrated package of sophisticated instruments that must be coordinately optimized, the knowledgeable use of these instruments is essential to the acquisition and display of specimen information. Articles by leaders in the design and application of video methods for biological microscopy cover the full range of commonly used video technologies. The basics of each component or technology are presented in a nontechnical fashion and emphasize practical information that allows the reader to avoid common mistakes that lead to artifacts.This volume is an essential guide for students and scientists in cell biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, and other areas of biological and biomedical research. This book is also a useful supplement for light microscopy courses as well as a resource for research directors and the technical staff of imaging facilities.Key Features:* Chapters cover the commonly used video technologies in biological research* Nontechnical presentation of principles* Emphasis on the practical aspects of instrument use* Covers pitfalls in instrument uses that can lead to artifacts* Authors are leaders in the design and application of video methods to biological microscopy* Presentation of material tailored for the established researcher that has little experience with video methods* Examples are extensively illustrated with photographs About the Author University of California, Santa Barbara, USA