Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 5.3
In vivo Ca
2+
imaging in the head-fi xed cricket preparation. (
a
) Schematic of the experi-
mental setup showing an immobilized cricket. (
b
) Ca
2+
response in the calyx of the mushroom
body to the preferred odor stimulus
brighter fl uorescent images with improved signal-to-noise ratio. Regardless of the
kind of imaging device used, however, the optical properties of the objective lens
and optical band-pass fi lters are the most crucial determinants of image quality.
A primary consideration for setting up a Ca
2+
-imaging experimental system is,
therefore, the selection of an objective lens with as large a numerical aperture
(N.A.) as possible, adequate working distance, and a set of fi lters appropriate
for transmitting the excitation and emission wavelengths for the selected
Ca
2+
indicator(s). An appropriate imaging device must also be selected that is
