"Fluorescent Reagents and Imaging" " by Michael Ignatius, PhD

Molecular Probes, now a part of Invitrogen, has been developing fluorescent reagents for over 33 years. This talk will highlight some recent advances from the more than 80 R&D scientists at Molecular Probes.

The focus will be four areas:

* Live cell analysis with fluorescent proteins and new fluorescent dyes, including assays for cell health and viability, cell tracking, apoptosis, phagocytosis, calcium sensing and proliferation.

* How to reduce backgrounds, enhance signal detection in general, and for rare event in particular, including the use of Quantum Dot ? nanocrystals and TSA amplification. Included in this will be the importance of UV free illumination sources, pulsed excitation and optimal antifade formulations.

* First ever metabolic labeling of proteins, nucleic acids and carbohydrates with fluorescent dyes using Click-iT? technology

* Yet to be released technology using non-emissive Quantum Dot? nanocrystals in which light excitation is converted to electrical, depolarizing current in overlying neuronal cells.

Other areas of Expertise:

Can also help navigate through our often overwhelming diversity of compounds by discussing additional options which have been shown appropriate for HTS and HCS applications of these technologies as basic research translates into compound screening and drug discovery. Examples from the literature in which these technologies have been used in basic and applied research will highlighted as well.

More information on Dr. Michael Ignatius: