User: Matthias Schieker, University of Munich, Germany
The project: Identifying mesenchymal stem cells by labeling as many as seven characteristic proteins coexpressed on single cells.
The problem: Organic dye emission spectra overlap so that colors become mixed together.
The solution: Schieker began the project before quantum dots were available, and with the group's protocols working well, continues to use dyes (Dianova, Invitrogen). Appropriate filters for each dye are essential for separating the light to be detected from the excess light that overlaps with other dyes, Schieker says. To resolve small differences (10 nm) in wavelength, he uses spectral deconvolution, a software tool that extracts distinct...
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