The Fluorescence Microscope – Learning More About It And Its Applications

For the past decades, the world we live in is mostly equipped with the latest technology. Various gadgets are used to help us in our everyday work. They provide us with accurate information, solutions to a lot of complicated problems, and a variety of other things. These gadgets have greatly improved our ways of living. They have made our lives more comfortable and have increased our efficiency in work. The microscopes, for example have rendered their services in a lot of areas where observations on samples or specimens are concerned. In many biological and medical research fields, the applications of the fluorescence microscope are rapidly expanding. The advancements of today’s fluorescence microscope as well as the beginning of many flourochromes have stimulated the diversification of the applications of this microscope.

History of the fluorescence microscope

In 1852, Sir George Stokes, a British scientist was the first to define the term “fluorescence” and was accounted for coining it. During one of his observations, he noticed that a certain mineral called the fluorspar released red light when irradiated by ultraviolet excitation. He further noted that a longer wavelength constantly occurred in a fluorescence emission than that of the excited light. During the 19th century, more people have proven that Sir Stokes was right. Several investigations showed that there are a lot of samples such as minerals, resins, crystals, vitamins and inorganic compounds glow when illuminated with ultraviolet light. However, at around 1930s, fluorochromes were used to stain tissues, bacteria, other translucent tiny living organisms to be observed more clearly. A few years later, quite a number of these stains inspired to create a tools on what is known today as a fluorescence microscope.

Introduction to what a fluorescence microscope is

This modern tool has already achieved its high level of complexity beyond that of a human eye and even those of other Fluorescence-Microscopes. Its high performance optical parts, digital images produced and its computerized control of the whole instrument allows us to gain an easy and accurate access on the information of the small living things around us. The precise information it gives to its user is a product of electronic imaging produced at low light levels.

In other microscopes, the user views a specimen under the objective lens. In this type of microscope’s case, the light source itself is the thing to be studied. This technique makes the specimen glow. This idea is actually based on the fact that there are particular items which release energy and could be detected as a form of visible light when illuminated with a source of light having a specific wavelength. A specimen could either be applied with fluorescing chemicals or it is fluorescing in nature like chlorophyll and a few minerals.

Applications of the fluorescence microscope

The applications of this tool has readily become very essential in the different areas of science particularly in biology, other biomedical sciences, and in materials science since its features are not usually being offered in other contrast means with the conventional optical microscopes. Here are its following applications:

• This very advanced tool is used to examine and study the nature and activities of translucent living organisms, research on the properties of organic and inorganic compounds and investigate on liquid deposits.


• It is also being applied in most of research facilities, schools, animal husbandry and agriculture to help provide accurate results on many types of samples.


• In the field of medicine, this tool is responsible for revealing the various components of a specimen, such a viruses, bacteria, and macromolecules like ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).


• It is used to detect the existence of a single cell. With the help of multiple fluorescence labeling, probes can recognize different molecules to be targeted at the same time.


• The addition of fluorochromes has allowed more people to recognize cells and cellular components although a higher degree of specificity is required.

A fluorescence microscope is a truly great tool for people who work as researchers, scientists, and investigators. It has become one of the most reliable tools due to its ability to perform complex tasks such as determining the nature, characteristics, properties and components of microscopic organisms. Its applications have opened new doors for more advanced discoveries. With its capability to provide us with the exact information on various organisms, we will probably know how it will lead us in the future. It could allow us to understand more of both the living and non-living things that inhabit this earth.