POTSDAM -- A Clarkson University laboratory is one of the first to test the Etaluma LumaScope, a new fluorescence microscope.

Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biomolecular Science Costel Darie and Ph.D. student Izabela Sokolowska beta testing the Etaluma LumaScope, a new state-of-the art fluorescence microscope.Etaluma, of Carlsbad, Calif., has provided the microscope without cost to the laboratory of Assistant Professor Costel Darie.

Darie's lab studies the role of tumor differentiation factor (TDF), a new pituitary hormone, in breast and prostate cells under both physiological (pregnancy and development) and pathological (cancer) conditions.

The lab also studies serum biomarkers in men and women with various types of cancer and in children with autistic spectrum disorders.

The lab will use the microscope for fluorescent immunocytochemistry, to aid in the identification of oncological and neurobiological protein biomarkers and their targets. The LumaScope will be available to users from the departments of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science and Biology.

Etaluma focuses on bringing analytical and diagnostic instrumentation to more users by decreasing the cost and complexity of these devices and encouraging the open-source development of applications for their use.