Modern digital images are composed of nearly a million individual points of light that create the illusion of continuity. On a macroscopic scale, this effect is seamless. However, for demanding micro-scopy applications, the digiscape reveals pixelations--tiny distortions that may interfere with the interpretation of the scanned image.

Leica Microsystems' DC 100 Imaging System
Leica Microsystems' DC 200 Imaging System
The effect of digitization can be roughly compared to lying on a bed of nails. As long as one's weight is evenly distributed and there are no sudden movements, the nails can support the weight of a full-grown man. Likewise, the visual "bed of nails" that makes up a digital image is satisfactory for certain applications such as gel documentation but becomes less than practical for more intensive protocols. For scientists who rely on the resolving power of digital imaging systems, the limitations of what might be referred to as "the...

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