A Stereo Investigator system provides you with the means to make the most accurate, unbiased quantification of the number, length, area, and volume of cells, subcellular and macro structures in your tissue specimens. It is a key research tool that has helped scientists to make discoveries in numerous areas of neuroscience, including neurodegenerative diseases, addiction, autism, neuropathy, memory, and behavior, as well as other research fields including pulmonary and kidney research, and toxicology.
The Stereo Investigator system makes stereology accessible, with easy-to-follow workflows for the most commonly used probes and clear quantitative results. With Stereo Investigator, stereology can be performed directly on a microscope system, or from image stacks or whole slide images.
Visit our comprehensive stereology information site, stereology.info to learn more.
The Optical Fractionator probe is often the most appropriate stereological tool for counting the number of cells (or other objects) within a 3D region of interest. It yields accurate, quantitative data using reliable, proven methodology. This seemingly basic knowledge about a specimen can be immensely important, for example, helping researchers determine whether an experimental treatment affects the total number of cells within a brain region when compared to an untreated group.
Stereo Investigator provides the Optical Fractionator workflow which offers an easy-to-use, easy-to-learn interface that walks users through the complex process of correctly using the Optical Fractionator probe. New lab members can learn the process and be up and running quickly, while avoiding counting mistakes. This probe relies on systematic random sampling to obtain a statistically valid and unbiased sample of the region of interest. Stereo Investigator overlays a 3D disector (as appropriate for the specimen) that indicates where in the specimen to count cells using the probe. Once counting is complete, results are automatically calculated and can be viewed within the software, exported to Excel, or copied to the clipboard.
| Feature Description | Stereo Investigator MICROSCOPE EDITION | Stereo Investigator DESKTOP EDITION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The gold standard for unbiased stereology | |||
| Quantifies number, length, volume, & surface area of cells, structures, & regions | |||
| Works with 3D images | |||
| Analyzes large 3D images aquired from light sheet and confocal microscopes | |||
| Works with 2D images | |||
| Analysis with images acquired from slide scanners | |||
| Integrated microscope control to work directly with live images at the microscope | |||
| Acquire 3D/2D images for Systematic Random Sampling (SRS) |
Stereo Investigator is used across the globe by the most prestigious laboratories.
We are pleased to announce the release of Stereo Investigator®version 2024.1.3, which introduces key updates to offline software licensing. These updates enhance the functionality and ensure uninterrupted use of
Using specimens that were collected over three decades from zoos, researchers at Humboldt University of Berlin examined facial motor control in
We are pleased to announce that the International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility (INCF) has endorsed the MBF Bioscience neuromorphological file format as
Stereo Investigator has been cited in over 8,000 published research papers. 5 times more than its nearest competitor.
Rentsch, P., T. Egan, et al.
The ratio of M1 to M2 microglia in the striatum determines the severity of L-Dopa-induced dyskinesiasView Publication
González-Salvatierra, S., C. García-Fontana, et al.
Cardioprotective function of sclerostin by reducing calcium deposition, proliferation, and apoptosis in human vascular smooth muscle cellsView Publication
Bautista, J., M. Á. García-Cabezas, et al.
Pattern of ventral temporal lobe interconnections in rhesus macaquesView Publication
Wang, Z., D. Zheng, et al.
Enabling Survival of Transplanted Neural Precursor Cells in the Ischemic BrainView Publication
Villar-Conde, S., V. Astillero-Lopez, et al.
Synaptic involvement of the human amygdala in Parkinson’s diseaseView Publication
Stimpson, C. D., J. B. Smaers, et al.
Evolutionary scaling and cognitive correlates of primate frontal cortex microstructureView Publication
"Our Stereo Investigator system works perfectly. We use it every day and don't have any problems whatsoever. Thanks for the good system."
"I have been using the Neurolucida and Stereo Investigator software from MicroBrightField for the last 5 years, and this software has become an essential part of my research program. Whether it is 3 dimensional reconstruction, counting particular particles or mapping the developing and adult vascular, these programs are a scientific must. I personally have been able to push my research in ways that would otherwise not have been possible. Furthermore, the ability to quantitate and detect subtle differences is and will continue to be critical to my scientific program. I would highly recommend these companion programs to any research scientist."
"If there is another program for unbiased stereology, I don't know what it is. This is the gold standard, and I can't say enough to praise the technical support provided by MBF Bioscience."
"We've used Stereo Investigator for 10+ years. The technical support is outstanding, and the company itself it highly responsive to their customers."
"We have used Stereo Investigator for over 10 years now. The service and technical support is always great and they keep adding new updates with more tools. "
"Stereo Investigator is a excellent stereology system. It is easy to work with and the workflows help you to work very efficiently. It is a crucial research tool for obtaining estimates of number of neurons, length of capillaires, length density of fibers, volume measurements of regions of interests or neurons, etc in specific brain regions. I would like to recommend it to everybody who is interested in stereology. In addition, MBF provides excellent technical support and helps you to find the best technical tools for your research challenges on morphometry."
"Stereo Investigator is an excellent research tool for unbiased stereology. In our research group when we set out to quantify the complex network nerves residing in the stomach mucosa. With Stereo Investigator we were able to get accurate estimates of numbers and show differences between your study groups without the introduction of sampling bias."
"Stereo Investigator has been the workhorse of our Microvascular Pathology Lab for the last six years. We have been able to measure vascular density with an accuracy never before available to our studies and more recently SI has provided efficient and precise comparisons of hypoxia and ischemic damage in cerebral vessels and neurons. The helpfulness, availability and experience of the MBF staff has been extraordinary. I would recommend any of their products wholeheartedly."
"Stereo Investigator is great for stereology. Although there is no field representation in the UK, the team in Vermont have been excellent at supporting us in our research applications. With online support and real time meetings and webinars, we've been able to make substantial progress on our research projects. MBF aren't afraid of a technical challenge, which is excellent, and have managed to provide us an excellent solution for our complex research needs."
"Stereo Investigator was particularly useful for estimating cell density in larger brain structures, such as the inferior colliculus."
"Since we purchased our system four years ago, our experience with the MBF equipment and especially the MBF people has been outstanding. I cannot speak any higher about their professionalism and attention for our needs. "
"Stereo Investigator is powerful yet easy to use. The staff at MBF Bioscience is always helpful answering our questions and recommending optimal ways to conduct our stereological analyses."
Our service sets us apart, with a team that includes Ph.D. neuroscientists, experts in microscopy, stereology, neuron reconstruction, and image processing. We’ve also developed a host of additional support services, including:
We offer a free expert demonstration of Stereo Investigator. During your demonstration you’ll also have the opportunity to talk to us about your hardware, software, or experimental design questions with our team of Ph.D. neuroscientists and experts in microscopy, neuron tracing, and image processing.
