BETTER RED THAN VIOLET? the colur bias...

From: Bob Ashcroft (cytomat@netcore.com.au)
Date: Wed Jun 25 1997 - 07:38:41 EST


Dear Colleagues,

PREAMBLE:
In the wavelength continuum for excitation of fluorochromes, 488nm is the 
Everest.

In the quest for extra colours, we can add tandems for 488-excitation, or 
we can add light sources which move to higher or to lower wavelengths of 
excitation. But which way is better?

Is the He-Ne path of higher wavelength excitation superior to the He-Cd (or 
Hg arc) path of shorter wavelength excitation?

The weight of activity definitely vindicates 488 tandems and He-Ne, but why 
not UV conjugates like AMCA and tandems for them? Why not viloet-excited 
conjugates? Was not the choice driven by what was easy at that time, and 
should we not now review it?

THE QUESTION I AM PUTTING:  IS CONJUGATE-SPACE SYMMETRIC, OR IS IT BETTER 
RED THAN DEAD-violet,..-indigo,...blue??

Have we given UV and violet a fair go in the antibody-fluorochrome 
conjugate challenge?

What are the fluorochromes which are suitable conjugates for monoclonal 
antibodies, and which excite in the violet or the UV?

Can you give me your tuppence-worth on this?

....still wondering,... Bob



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