This is the first worthy update to microscope technology in years, and it may actually fit into the 'breakthrough' category. This IDSA's 2007 Gold Winner [in the medical category] is also the first to allow scientists to view living biological cells. For once, when using this new equipment, we will not be relying on dead, preserved organisms to make deductions.
It's the same basic concept of a standard microscope slide plus one very important feature that changes the way we see the subjects. It incorporates an incubator to keep the cells alive while they are being studied. Also, unlike traditional well plates, it isolates the cells into their own individual wells so that they may be observed accordingly. The area to be viewed specifically contains 7,614 wells and a liquid medium. These wells are linked by a channel system that supplies nutrients and removes any build up of toxic waste. One quote from Gizmodo sums up the meaning of such innovation:
"In the past biological researchers have relied upon using slides of
preserved cells to make inferences about cellular processes. Put
plainly, making deductions relied upon studying an
'old photograph' of
a system.
Comparatively, the cellTRAY will be like making those same
deductions using a
time-delayed, video transmission."
This new technology could really open the door to discovery in diseases, including treatments. Whether or not everyone understands the specifics of the workings, we can all relate and benefit. Most of us have had to use microscopes in school, or perhaps you even played with them as a kid. The dead samples were definite and viewed on their simple, glass slides. This was, essentially, like viewing an intricate picture, and over time the impact of something like live viewing has the potential to be huge.
If you'd like to check it out or further examine the details of the cellTRAY, head to the
page at Nanopoint.
