Neurodegeneration Research Aided by New Microscope

A new microscope is being utilized to identify very small structures in the brains of fruit flies that are being studied to help to understand how and why motor neuron diseases occur. The illumination system and the fluorescence microscopy of this equipment are assisting with the close examination of fly brains.

Motic (Hong Kong SAR, China) has recently supplied an Epi-Fluorescence BA 400 microscope, which is helping in the study of neurodegenerative diseases, at Kings College London (UK). The fruit flies are being used due to their similarities to human genetic characteristics, and because they have a short life cycle and are genetically reproduced easily.

The research involves closely monitoring the brain function of the fruit flies and using locomotion as a behavioral measurement. Experiments were performed on the fruit flies, such as their ability to climb, to examine the loss of motor neurons with age. A trial of drugs is also being given to the flies to see how they react and if a tremor is identified.

The externally mounted 30W halogen Koehler (Bohemia, NY, USA) illumination system of the microscope provides bright and uniform lighting through the various contrast techniques, enabling close and clear observation of the flies brains. The upright BA 400 inverted-Y-design stand allows an attachment of a reflective Epi-fluorescence illuminator. The microscope has three filter modules in which an additional blank filter module enables the BA 400 to be used as a bright field and phase contrast microscope.

"The Motic Microscope was selected as it fulfilled all our requirements and was an excellent price,” commented Frank Hirth, head of Research Group, at Denmark Hill, Kings College London. "We use the microscope on a daily basis and it enables us to conduct the bulk of our research, thus saving us both time and money before we need to book the slots to use confocal microscopes which are very expensive.”

Graham Moss, from Motic Europe, commented, "We are delighted to be involved in this exciting research on motor neuron diseases. The BA 400 is a versatile microscope as it can easily be transformed into a fluorescence microscopy platform enabling it to be both a space and budget saving device.”

Motic is a hi-tech industrial enterprise specializing in the manufacturing of conventional optical microscopes. Motic is the optical microscope division of Speed Fair Co., Ltd., Hong Kong.

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