Temperature control devices: a comparative guide to choose the suitable temperature control device for your experimental requirement
CherryTemp heater/cooler for live-cell imaging
The technology relies on simple platform which integrates a dual channel temperature controller coupled to a closed fluidic loop to actuate a thermalizing liquid close to the cells to allow fast temperature changes and a very stable and precise control a the sample’s level.
Delta-T = 5 to 45°C (for the best set-up)
Pros: ultra-fast temperature shifts (10 seconds), large biologically relevant rage (5-45°C), temperature stability (±0,1°C), room temperature and objective heat sink compensation, 0.05°C precise initial calibration (RTD electrode deposition).
Cons: needs to be used with a CO2 controller for long-term imaging of cells.
Microscope thermal stages
Microscope thermal stages control temperature using Peltier or liquid based heated platform. Temperature controlled microscope stages modify the temperature of the biological sample by thermal diffusion through the glass slide or metal heat conducting bridge to minimize the temperature gradient over the sample.
Delta-T = -196°C up to 500°C (for the best set-up)
Pros: high temperature range, relatively fast temperature switch (2-3 min), easy to use
Cons: poor temperature uniformity across the sample, additional objective collar heater for immersion objective required, requires dehumidifier.
Stage top chambers
Top chambers or incubators are an alternative to incubation boxes since they provide a stable temeprature together with humidity and gaz control.
DeltaT = 3 to 60°C.
Pros: large range and homogenous, allow humidity and gaz control, flexible in tye of specimen
Cons: requires objective heater collar to achieve accuracy, do not allow fast shifts.
Incubation chamber
This type of devices provides a multi-parameters (gas, pH and temperature) controlled environment within a plexiglas box surrounding the entire microscope.
Delta-T = RT +3°C up to 50°C (below ambiant if through addition of air conditionning systems)
Pros: easy to use, homogenous temperature, long time-lapse acquisition, flexibility for different specimens
Cons: slow temperature equilibrum and no shifts (30-60 minutes), limited temeprature ranges, cannot be moved from scope to scope.
Microscope objective heaters/collars
Objective heaters can be adopted as complementary systems in order to mitigate the heat sink produced by the objective lens when working with immersion lenses.
Delta-T = -RT up to 50°C (and below ambiant for fluidic collars)
Pros: large temperature range, enhance temperature homogeneity of the sample
Cons: not self-sufficient
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