Charity Donation to Children’s Medical Research Institute

H.L. Lola White, GRM 2010-2011, Charity Donation to Children’s Medical Research Institute

The instrument selected by the Institute was a Cell Voyager Microscope – CV 1000 and was only received in Australia late October 2011. H.L. Lola & S.K. Ken were invited to visit the Institute for a quick demonstration of some of the machines capabilities.

The microscope has two digital cameras – one on top the other to one side – that can take pictures, transfer them to a computer and simultaneously show them on a large screen.

From a small slice of tissue on a slide the machine will take consecutive pictures across the slide, and match them row by row for several rows down, to present one a composite picture from a tiny portion just 3mm x 3mm of that slice.

Each picture is individually focussed and is perfectly aligned with the adjoining picture. When shown on the screen the operator, using a mouse, can select any small portion and enlarge that area many times. Then and don’t ask how, they can place colour tags on selected tiny pieces.

The two researchers who explained all this were just so excited with the microscope and the tremendous savings in time and physical discomforts that this equipment will bring. Imagine sitting time after time, hour after hour, eyes glued to the microscope trying to focus and obtain the best possible picture. While every half hour or so, you need to stop and rest your eyes, not to mention easing the strain on your back.

Now, this machine in a couple of hours can do the work that previously was taking two weeks to complete Already there is a register - filling quickly – for researchers to book time on the equipment.

My thanks to you all for the wonderful support you gave to H.L Lola and her Project. Be assured that this donation will be very well used by some extremely talented people whom we hope will make a difference in the health of future generations.

S.K. Ken White Past Grand Royal Patron