We have written several sets of procedures using IGOR Pro (Wavemetrics) that we use in the lab for electrophysiological data aquisition, image aquisition and image analysis.

Confocal Control Software

This set of procedures uses Igor Nidaq Tools mx to control high speed National Instrument DAQ boards to control and aquire data from galvanometer based laser scanning confocal microscopes. These procedures can be used to control Biorad MRC 600 or MRC 1000 scanheads from within windows and eliminate the need for much of the old hardware supported under COMOS running in DOS. These procedures are described in the following paper.

Hartell NA (2006). Simple windows-based software for the control of laser scanning confocal microscopes. J Neurosci Methods., 162, (1-2), 26-31. (Pubmed)

Requirements

• Igor Pro Vs 6.1 and Igor Nidaq Tools mx (Wavemetrics Inc)
• High speed National Instruments DAQ board such as PCI-6110, PCI-6111.
• National Instruments NI-DAQmx driver v. 7.5 or later
• Cable, connector block and suitable enclosure for connecting the DAQ board to the ScanHead.

A manual describing the requirements and installation instructions can be found here. If you are interested in using this software, please send an email to nh88@le.ac.uk

Image Acquisition

A suite of procedures that allow image aquisition from CCD cameras supported by SIDX (Bruxton Corporation). Currently tested with Retiga Exi and Hamamatsu Em cameras.

Image Analysis

For analysis of data from Leica Confocal microscopes or some other Tif formats. Carries out ratiometric and ROI analsysis of multiple stacks of images.

Electrophysiology

Uses M-Series A-D cards from National Instruments to aquire data from up to two channels and to control stimulation of up to two different inputs. This can be used for dual slice patch recordings. Can be integrated with Image Acquisition software to allow simultaneous aquisition of electrophysiological and imaging data