TY - CONF A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Fallisch, A. A1 - Petrov, E. P. A1 - Salhany, R. A1 - Forthman, C. A1 - Guttenberg, Z. A1 - Nitschke, R. T1 - Spectral fluorescence standards for the calibration and performance validation of fluorescence microscopes N2 - The standardization and calibration of fluorescence microscopy have become increasingly vital due to the wide-spread use of in life and materials sciences. As the demand for reliable and user-friendly methods to assess micro-scope performance grows, universal calibration tools accessible to both researchers and vendors are needed. To support the standardization of characterization methods in microscopy, it is crucial to provide calibration tools together with standardized operating procedures for their effective implementation. The public-funded project "FluMiKal"* develops calibration tools in the shape of typical microscopic slides to assess key parameters such as spatial resolution, point spread function, spectral sensitivity, linearity and sensitivity of the detection system. The focus is on creating calibration tools that are user-friendly, robust, and versatile in their application. This work addresses the critical parameter of wavelength-dependent spectral sensitivity, which affects the meas-ured signals from the instrument side, yielding instrument-specific data and instrument aging-induced changes over time. For this purpose, μ-slides from ibidi with six channels are used, allowing them to be filled with different solutions containing molecular or nanoscale fluorophores with well-characterized absorption and fluorescence properties. The certified spectral fluorescence standards BAM-F003, F004, F005, and F007 assessed provided as ethanolic solutions by the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), cover a broad spectral range from the blue to the near-infrared [1], [2]. Dye-based slide prototypes have been used to determine the spectral sensitivity of confocal microscopes from different vendors with various detector types by acquiring the spectral data of the BAM dyes under standardized measurement conditions, demonstrating the applicability of this concept. Proof-of-concept experiments could demonstrate the proper sealing of the slides. Further experiments will explore long-term stability and their potential as standards for relative intensity calibrations. * FluMiKal is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Germany (WIPANO FKZ 03TN0047B) [1] doi: 10.1007/4243_2008_028. [2] doi: 10.1007/s00216-024-05723-w. T2 - European Light Microscopy Initiative - ELMI 2025 CY - Heidelberg, Germany DA - 03.06.2025 KW - Fluorescence KW - Advanced material KW - Validation KW - Calibration KW - Method comparison KW - Reference material KW - Dye KW - Fluorescence standard KW - Microscopy KW - CLSM KW - Imaging PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64206 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Hoffmann, Katrin A1 - Nietfeld, W. A1 - Engel, A. A1 - Neukammer, J. A1 - Nitschke, R. A1 - Ebert, B. A1 - Macdonald, R. T1 - How to Improve Quality Assurance in Fluorometry: Fluorescence-Inherent Sources of Error and Suited Fluorescence Standards N2 - The scope of this paper is to illustrate the need for an improved quality assurance in fluorometry. For this purpose, instrumental sources of error and their influences on the reliability and comparability of fluorescence data are highlighted for frequently used photoluminescence techniques ranging from conventional macro- and microfluorometry over fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry to microarray technology as well as in vivo fluorescence imaging. Particularly, the need for and requirements on fluorescence standards for the characterization and performance validation of fluorescence instruments, to enhance the comparability of fluorescence data, and to enable quantitative fluorescence analysis are discussed. Special emphasis is dedicated to spectral fluorescence standards and fluorescence intensity standards. KW - Fluorescence KW - Standard KW - Calibration KW - Microarray KW - In vivo imaging KW - Flow cytometry PY - 2005 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-005-2630-3 SN - 1053-0509 SN - 1573-4994 VL - 15 IS - 3 SP - 337 EP - 362 PB - Plenum Publ. Corp. CY - New York, NY AN - OPUS4-10823 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - GEN A1 - Hoffmann, Katrin A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Nitschke, R. ED - O.S. Wolfbeis, ED - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Comparability of fluorescence microscopy data and need for instrument characterization of spectral scanning microscopes N2 - The aim of this article is to illustrate the need for an improved quality assurance in fluorescence microscopy. From the instrument-side, this can be achieved by a better understanding, consideration, and regular control of the instrument-specific parameters and quantities affecting measured fluorescence signals. Particularly, the need for requirements on physical- and chemical-type instrument standards for the characterization and performance validation of spectral fluorescence microscopes (SFMs) is discussed and suitable systems are presented. Special emphasis is given to spectral fluorescence standards and to day-to-day intensity standards for SFMs. Fluorescence standards and well-characterized fluorescence microscopes are the first and essential steps towards the comparability and the understanding of the variability in fluorescence microscopy data in medical and life sciences. In addition, standards enable the distinction between instrument-specific variations and fluorescent label- or probe-related uncertainties as well as generally sample-related effects. KW - Fluorescence spectroscopy KW - Fluorescence microscopy KW - Quality assurance KW - Calibration KW - Standard KW - Comparability KW - Quantification PY - 2008 SN - 978-3-540-70570-3 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/4243_2008_028 SN - 1617-1306 N1 - Serientitel: Springer Series on Fluorescence – Series title: Springer Series on Fluorescence VL - 6 IS - Part A SP - 89 EP - 116 PB - Springer CY - Berlin, Heidelberg AN - OPUS4-18995 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -