Abstract
Light microscopy is an indispensible tool in the cytogenetics laboratory, both for routine analysis and for techniques such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Modern tools, such as digital imaging and advances in image analysis, have aided the microscopist in drawing conclusions from microscope images. A clear understanding of optical systems and the trade-offs involved in imaging is essential to maximizing the quality of such images. This chapter covers the basic principles and applications of the light microscope, including brightfield and contrasting techniques and an introduction to the fluorescence microscope.
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Acknowledgments
The authors extend special thanks to Michael W. Davidson of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and MicroscopyU (www.microscopyu.com) for figures and information and also acknowledge Christopher McAleer, author of the chapter in previous editions, for providing the general scope and framework of the material.
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© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York
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Claxton, N.S., Ross, S.T. (2013). The Essentials of Light Microscopy. In: Gersen, S., Keagle, M. (eds) The Principles of Clinical Cytogenetics. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1688-4_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1688-4_5
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Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1688-4
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