Calcium imaging

Calcium imaging is a scientific technique usually carried out in research which is designed to show the calcium status of a tissue or medium. Due to the chemical properties of calcium it can not be imaged easily. Instead, another substance called Fura-2 fluoresces after binding to calcium and being exposed to a fluorescent light. The Fura-Ca complex affects the wavelength typically associated with unbound Fura-2 and the resulting fluorescence can be detected by a camera adapted (usually through a microscope) for fluorescent light imaging. An image is thus created which can be analyzed according to intensity, ultimately reflecting the Ca status.

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Technical modifications

The traditional calcium imaging technique can also be modified to indicate a quenching of fluorescence via addition of manganese (Mn). The subsequent binding to Fura-2 by Mn quenches the fluorescence since the Fura-Mn complex does not share the same wavelength properties as Fura-Ca. It is also necessary to adjust the detection wavelength since Fura is usually detected at 340 and 380 wavelengths. Mn quenching is best associated with the 360.