So far about 200 people have requested more information concerning my posting last month on the flow cytometry and confocal user group lists describing a confocal microscopy QA test using a spectral emission lamp. However, there seems to be some confusion concerning the usage of the lamp. What it is NOT is a means of suggesting that instruments made by different manufacturers are "better" or "worse" than one another. The true purpose of the lamp is to diagnose problems and confirm that an instrument is working optimally. It should be enough to say that spectral resolution is not the only important parameter when deciding what instrument to purchase. The lamp is first and foremost a diagnostic tool that should be used to confirm wavelength accuracy, spectral resolution, peak to valley ratios (contrast), performance consistency, and finally, that moving mechanical parts such as slit-sliders are not sticking. Most importantly the lamp provides a highly objective, simple and fast way to communicate with colleagues, or the manufacturer, and to be able to compare and contrast the performance of LIKE systems. The fact is that if manufactures provided user-based calibration and validation tests we would not be put in position where we have to develop such tests ourselves! It is a mistake to assume that your instrument is working optimally just because you are able to generate "nice looking" images! Best wishes Bob Robert M. Zucker, PhD U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory Reproductive Toxicology Division, MD 72 Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27711 Tel: 919-541-1585; fax 919-541-4017 e-mail: zucker.robert@epa.govReceived on Tue May 4 13:58:00 2004
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