NightSHADE LB 985 Plant Imaging System
NightSHADE LB 985 Plant Imaging System
Modular In Vivo Optical Imaging System for Luminescence and Fluorescence Monitoring in Plant Research
Overview
The NightSHADE LB 985 is a modular, easy-to-use optical imaging system dedicated to in vivo analysis of plants. Developed by Berthold Technologies, it is the first imaging system fully dedicated to plant research. Housed in an absolutely light-tight cabinet and equipped with a deeply cooled CCD camera, the NightSHADE enables sensitive luminescence and fluorescence monitoring in tissues, seedlings, and whole plants.
The camera can be mounted either on top of the instrument for imaging from above, or laterally for side-view imaging. The side position enables seedlings to be maintained upright in their natural vertical orientation, allowing researchers to monitor gene expression in roots and shoots while preserving gravitropic behavior. The system supports a wide range of sample formats, from small seedlings in Petri dishes or microplates to leaves, fungi, and whole plants.
Applications
The NightSHADE LB 985 is ideally suited for today's and tomorrow's applications in plant research, including:
Key Features
- Absolutely light-tight dark chamber with dual flange for multiport access
- Multi-position camera mounting — top or side view for flexible imaging angles
- Drawer-like base plate for easy sample and accessory exchange
- Deeply cooled CCD camera with high quantum efficiency for maximum sensitivity
- Variable pixel binning up to 16×16 to increase sensitivity
- Exposure times from milliseconds to hours for diverse experimental needs
- LED plant growth illumination panels for daylight simulation with spectral and intensity gradients
- Temperature and humidity control options for standardized environmental conditions
- Modular design allowing full customization with accessories and options at any time
- Powerful indiGO™ software for instrument control, image processing, and data analysis
Camera Configurations
The NightSHADE LB 985 is available in multiple configurations tailored to specific application needs. All models feature a fully modular design and can be equipped with accessories and options at any time.
Entry-level system equipped with a sensitive emCCD camera (1 Mpixel, 1004×1002 pixels, 8×8 µm² pixel size). Ideal for bioluminescence and chemiluminescence measurements. Thermoelectric air cooling to -20°C. Spectral range: 400–1000 nm. Quantum efficiency: 65%.
Equipped with a supersensitive, low-noise CCD camera (1024×1024 pixels, 13×13 µm² pixel size). Back-lit midband-coated full frame chip with thermoelectric air cooling down to -70°C. Spectral range: 350–1050 nm. Quantum efficiency: 90% at 620 nm. Designed for high-sensitivity luminescence imaging.
The instrument of choice for both luminescence and fluorescence measurements. In addition to the emCCD camera, it is equipped with a fluorescence unit including illumination and one GFP filter set. Supports up to 4 excitation filters and 5 emission filters simultaneously.
Fluorescence Excitation & Emission
Many reporter genes are intrinsically fluorescent (e.g., GFP, YFP) or use fluorogenic substrates. The NightSHADE accommodates various dyes through changeable excitation filter sliders and exchangeable emission filters. Up to 4 excitation filters and up to 5 emission filters can be used at one time.
Depending on sample size and type, users can choose between different excitation devices:
- Ringlight — for single microplates or dishes
- Dual gooseneck — for spot illumination of dedicated areas
- 4-fold floodlight — for uniform illumination of large areas
The excitation source is a 75 W halogen lamp (340–750 nm) with software-controlled lamp stabilization. A motorized emission filter wheel and motorized excitation slider enable quicker, more flexible filter changes — ideal for dual reporter gene expressing samples.
Environmental Control
LED Daylight Simulation
Two LED panels can be mounted at different heights inside the imaging chamber to simulate daylight with both spectral and intensity gradients. Each panel is equipped with 4 different LED colours, individually tunable in intensity and duration. Maximum intensities range from 150–300 µE per colour, leading to a total intensity of up to 750 µE (or up to 1,800 µE / 15,000 Lux depending on configuration).
- Panel A: Blue (470 nm), Green (520 nm), Red (660 nm), Far-red (730 nm)
- Panel B: Blue (470 nm), White (400–800 nm), Red (660 nm), Far-red (730 nm)
Customized compositions and additional colours are available on request.
Temperature & Humidity Control
The entire instrument can be placed into an appropriate environmental chamber. Alternatively, a temperature-controlled base plate for Petri dishes keeps the temperature stable at user-defined settings between 15°C and 30°C. An anti-condensation table for up to 9 Petri dishes utilizes water heating with an integrated fan system that creates constant circular airflow, preventing condensation in lids for crystal-clear imaging.
indiGO™ Software
The user-friendly indiGO™ software provides complete hardware control and extensive image evaluation tools. Tailor-made for the NightSHADE, it allows setup of multi-day studies with just a few mouse clicks.
- Complete instrument control and real-time monitoring
- Zoom function, peak search, overlay, colour scale, and surface plot tools
- Single image capture and image sequence collection
- Multi-wavelength view mode — display up to 10 different wavelengths in a single experiment
- Easy filter management with dedicated filter inventory
- Daylight simulation programming with individual colour control
- Batch TIFF export with metadata for external software compatibility
- User management system with different access levels
- Powerful 3D view and video creation from sequential measurements
- Raw and processed data filed separately according to GLP rules
Accessories
- LED Plant Growth Illumination Panels (Panel A and Panel B)
- Cooling/Heating Unit for LED Plant Growth Illumination (110V or 230V)
- X/Y Table — for large sample trays or up to 4 microplates, sequentially moved into camera's field of view
- Turntable Base Unit with various sample holders
- Turntable for Square Petri Dishes (100×100 mm and 130×130 mm)
- Turntable for DeWit Tubes
- Anti-Condensation Table for up to 9 Petri Dishes
- Temperature Control System for sample chamber or base plate
- Humidity Control Module
- Gooseneck Spot Illumination
- Ringlight Epi Illumination
- Side View Camera Conversion Kit
- Additional Side View Camera (emCCD or low-noise CCD)
- Macro Lens (50 mm, f/0.95, C-mount)
- Flight Case for transport
Technical Specifications
| Imaging System | |
| Camera Type | Back-lit midband-coated full frame chip, 1024 × 1024 pixels, slow scan mode |
| Pixel Size | 13 × 13 µm |
| Spectral Range | 350 – 1050 nm |
| Quantum Efficiency | 90% at 620 nm |
| Pixel Binning | Variable, up to 16 × 16 |
| Exposure Times | From milliseconds to hours |
| CCD Cooling | Thermoelectric air cooling down to -70°C |
| A/D Conversion | 16-bit |
| Max. Frame Rate | 2.2 fps |
| Optics | |
| Lens | 25 mm, f/0.95, C-mount for most efficient light collection |
| Macro Lens | 50 mm, f/0.95, C-mount (optional) |
| Field of View (Standard) | 270 × 270 mm (XT version: 320 × 320 mm) |
| Field of View (Macro) | 130 × 130 mm |
| Resolution | From 135 µm/pixel (FOV 135 × 135 mm) to 270 µm/pixel (FOV 270 × 270 mm) |
| Camera Position | Top or side (lateral) |
| Max. Sample Height | 250 mm |
| Fluorescence | |
| Excitation Source | Halogen lamp, 75 W, 340 – 750 nm, software-controlled lamp stabilization |
| Excitation Filters | Up to 4 excitation filters (motorized slider) |
| Emission Filters | Up to 5 emission filters (motorized filter wheel) |
| Excitation Devices | Ringlight, dual gooseneck, or 4-fold floodlight |
| LED Growth Illumination | |
| Configuration | 2 LED panels, 72 high-power LEDs each, top-mounted at adjustable heights |
| Wavelengths | Narrow band 470 nm (blue), 530 nm (green), 660 nm (red), 730 nm (far-red); white option available |
| Intensity | User-definable up to 750 µE (@ 300 mm distance); up to 1,800 µE / 15,000 Lux with full configuration |
| Imaging Chamber | |
| Inner Dimensions | 520 × 400 × 360 mm (W × H × D) |
| Features | Absolutely light-tight; dual flange for multiport access; software-controlled mains outlet; software-controlled I/O ports; 4 LEDs for photographic exposures; drawer-like base plate |
| System Requirements | |
| Power Supply | 110 – 240 V, 50/60 Hz; max 400 VA; minimum 4 free sockets |
| Temperature Range | Max. 30°C (operating environment) |
| Humidity | 10 – 80%, non-condensing |
| Bench Requirements | Load capacity ≥ 45 kg; minimum size 900 × 600 mm (W × D) plus space for PC |
| PC Requirements | Multi-core CPU, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD, Windows 7/8/10 (x64/x86), DVD ROM, 2× USB 2.0, Ethernet port, Internet access (for remote support and software updates) |
| Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Software | indiGO™ software for instrument control and data analysis |
| Regulations | CE, EN |
| Physical Specifications | |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 600 × 400 × 920 mm |
| Weight | 45 kg |
