Imagine capturing the intricate dance of neurons across vast brain regions with unprecedented clarity and speed. That's the promise of Bruker's xView™ Module, a game-changer for multiphoton microscopy. This innovative tool for the Ultima 2Pplus microscope isn't just an upgrade; it's a revolution in how we visualize the brain.
But here's where it gets exciting: xView expands the field of view by a staggering 2.5 times, allowing researchers to observe neural activity and structural details across millimeter-scale brain regions without sacrificing imaging speed or sensitivity. This breakthrough opens doors to previously unimaginable studies in brain connectivity, circuit mapping, and disease research.
And this is the part most people miss: xView seamlessly integrates with Bruker's NeuraLight 3D Ultra® Module for holographic optogenetics. This powerful combination enables simultaneous large-area imaging and multi-site photostimulation, providing researchers with an unprecedented ability to map and manipulate neuronal networks in living organisms.
The secret sauce lies in xView's technology:
- Patented ETL compensation: This feature, compatible with the ETL module, tackles aberrations in large field-of-view scans, ensuring crystal-clear images.
- Optogenetics compatibility: Seamless integration with NeuraLight 3D Ultra SLM unlocks the potential for precise control over neuronal activity.
- Stunning resolution: Capture images up to 8K x 8K pixels in galvo mode and 5K x 5K in resonant mode, thanks to the xCore FPGA electronics.
- Customizable lens sets: Researchers can choose from FN 28, 36, and 45 mm equivalent lens sets, allowing them to tailor the field of view, resolution, and speed to their specific experimental needs.
Traditionally, widening the field of view meant sacrificing resolution. Not anymore. xView breaks this trade-off, allowing researchers to achieve the wide field of view typically associated with a 10X objective while maintaining the high numerical aperture (NA) and resolution of a 16X lens. This is made possible by Bruker's patented ETL module, which compensates for resolution loss in real-time, tightly synchronized through Prairie View software.
As a field-upgradeable module for the Ultima 2Pplus, xView transforms imaging capabilities. It's perfect for tracking cell signaling dynamics across previously inaccessible brain regions and significantly increases throughput for large tissue scans, eliminating the need for stitching multiple images. Powered by Ultima xCore FPGA electronics, xView supports blazing-fast frame rates up to the kilohertz range for regional imaging and delivers stunning 8K resolution when high-detail acquisition is crucial.
Whether your research demands rapid image acquisition or intricate structural detail, xView elevates the Ultima platform to new heights, meeting the ever-evolving needs of advanced neuroscience.
Take a look at the image of a mouse brain captured with the Ultima 2Pplus and xView lenses. Notice the expansive field of view without any compromise in resolution. (Image Credit: Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology)
The possibilities are truly exciting:
- Simultaneous 3D optogenetics and large-area imaging: Unravel the complex input-output relationships within neural circuits.
- High-throughput whole-tissue montages: Create comprehensive maps of brain tissue with unprecedented speed and detail (e.g., using Atlas Imaging software).
- Mesoscale neural circuit mapping: Achieve improved temporal and spatial resolution for a deeper understanding of brain connectivity.
- Investigating neural disease pathways: Gain insights into the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's, epilepsy, Parkinson's, and other neurological disorders.
- Imaging 3D cell cultures and large organoids: Study complex cellular interactions in a more physiologically relevant context.
xView Specifications:
- FOV Modules: FN 28, 36, and 45 mm equivalent lens sets
- Wavelength: 400 to 1300 nm
- Transmission: >90% @ 700 to 1100 nm
Requirements:
- Ultima 2Pplus microscope
- xCore electronics
- ETL module
- Resonant scanner
Objective Compatibility: Olympus, Nikon, and other infinity-corrected confocal/multiphoton objectives
Objective Threading: RMS, M25, M27, and M32
Example FOV with Common Objectives:
- Olympus 20X 1.0 NA:
- xView 36: 1.27 x 1.27 mm
- xView 45: 1.58 x 1.58 mm
- Nikon 16x 0.8 NA:
- xView 36: 1.77 x 1.77 mm
- xView 45: 2.2 x 2.2 mm
- Nikon 10x 0.5 NA:
- xView 36: 2.83 x 2.83 mm
- xView 45: 3.52 x 3.52 mm
*(FOV achievable may be limited by objective aperture.)
xView is more than just a tool; it's a catalyst for discovery. It empowers researchers to explore the brain in ways never before possible. As neuroscience continues to push boundaries, xView stands ready to illuminate the path forward.
What do you think are the most exciting applications of this technology? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
