Call for Proposals on FIMS
KAIROS has developed a Fluorescence Imaging MicroSpectrophotometer (FIMS)=
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which can determine the full excitation and/or emission spectrum of every=
=20
pixel in a scene. The FIMS prototype is coupled to an Olympus BX60=20
epifluorescence microscope, although other configurations (e.g.,=20
inverted) are planned. We are currently writing a Phase 2 SBIR=20
application to the NIH and plan to ask for significant support for a=20
=91users group=92 of cell biologists to define the capabilities of this n=
ew=20
instrument and to participate in seminal experiments.=20
Scientists interested in using FIMS in their research should submit a=20
description of proposed experiments (~200 - 250 words, with < 5=20
references) via email which we will append to the Phase 2 SBIR proposal.=20
Pending approval from the NIH, we will provide financial support for=20
innovative uses of the instrument. Given that KAIROS has significant=20
efforts in GFP mutagenesis, we can also advise users on GFP derivatives=20
that are best suited for multispectral tagging or FRET.=20
Description of FIMS
We have developed a new instrument which combines the spatial=20
resolution of an epifluorescence microscope ( < 1 micron) with the=20
spectral resolution of a conventional fluorimeter (~ 2nm). This=20
Fluorescence Imaging MicroSpectrophotometer (FIMS) acquires fluorescent=20
excitation or emission stacks within minutes and then rapidly compresses=20
the data into a pseudocolored image wherein each color represents a=20
different spectral category. FIMS technology replaces the fixed=20
wavelength excitation and emission filters of a conventional=20
epifluorescence microscope with fully tunable devices, thus enabling the=20
simultaneous determination of the fluorescence spectrum of every pixel in=
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a scene. Hyperspectral pseudocoloring software has been written which=20
reduces these image stacks into one image while maintaining radiometric=20
calibration of each pixel=92s spectrum and providing overall spectral=20
statistics on each pseudocolored category. Such categories are=20
determined by rapid processing all of the pixels within a scene according=
=20
to a variety of sorting algorithms that bin pixels exhibiting similar=20
spectra. FIMS=92 ability to process hyperspectral data has been=20
demonstrated on model systems, including: 1) fluorescent microspheres=20
emitting between 520 and 720 nm, and 2) bacteria expressing wild-type,=20
red-shifted excitation, and red-shifted emission variants of the Green=20
Fluorescent Protein excited between 355 and 505 nm. FIMS technology is=20
essential for deciphering complex spatial and spectral patterns within=20
tissues, cells, chromosomes and viruses (or other inanimate objects)=20
labeled with multiple fluorophores.
Proposals must be received by November 25, 1996. Please mark E-mail=20
subject as "FIMS Proposal".
Contact:
Dr. Douglas C. Youvan
Chief Scientific Officer
KARIOS Scientific Inc.
Bldg. 62
3350 Scott Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054
E-mail: dyouvan at kairos-scientific.com
Web: http://www.kairos-scientific.com
Phone: 408-567-0400 x11
FAX: 408-567-0440
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Douglas C. Youvan, Ph.D. Phone: 408-567-0400 x 11
Chief Scientific Officer Fax: 408-567-0440
KAIROS Scientific Inc. E-Mail: dyouvan at kairos-scientific.com
Bldg. 62 Web: http://www.kairos-scientific.com
3350 Scott Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054 "Dope and Image"
