Brands

Compound Microscopes

<h2>What Are Compound Microscopes?</h2>
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A compound microscope forms a magnified image through two sequential lens systems: the objective lens (positioned close to the specimen) provides the primary magnification; the eyepiece (ocular) lens further magnifies the image from the objective, producing a final image that the eye or camera receives. Magnification is the product of the objective magnification and the eyepiece magnification (e.g., 40x objective x 10x eyepiece = 400x total). The transmitted light illumination system (Koehler illumination) passes light from below through the thin specimen mounted on a glass slide, through the objective, and to the eyepiece. This optical configuration provides the highest resolving power of any routine light microscope type, with resolution determined by the numerical aperture (NA) of the objective and the wavelength of light used. Routine brightfield compound microscopes with 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x (oil) objectives and 10x eyepieces cover 40x to 1000x total magnification. Phase contrast models add a phase ring in the condenser matched to each objective, enabling contrast of unstained transparent cells. Fluorescence models add an epi-fluorescence port and filter cube turret for imaging immunofluorescence-labeled sections and fluorescent markers. Choose a compound microscope for examination of specimens that have been prepared as thin slides, stained sections, or smears; it is the standard instrument for histology, clinical microbiology, hematology, and fixed-tissue fluorescence imaging.
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<h2 class="PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer" data-section-id="bxblbi" data-start="0" data-end="23">What You Will Find:</h2>
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BioBlue&trade; and bScope&reg; Compound Microscopes for routine biological, educational, and laboratory microscopy.
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iScope&reg; Research Microscopes with Plan and E-Plan optics for high-quality imaging and analysis.
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Phase Contrast Microscopes for enhanced observation of transparent, unstained specimens and living cells.
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LED Fluorescence Microscopes for fluorescence-based cell and tissue imaging applications.
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Specialized Systems, including polarization microscopes and anatomopathology microscopes for advanced research and diagnostic workflows.
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<h2>How to Choose a Compound Microscope</h2>
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Brightfield vs. phase contrast vs. fluorescence
Brightfield compound microscopes are the entry-level configuration, adequate for stained tissue sections, Gram-stained bacterial smears, blood smears, and all applications where contrast comes from staining rather than optical manipulation. Phase contrast is required for observation of unstained, living, or lightly fixed cells, where inherent contrast is too low for brightfield, common in microbiology, parasitology, and cytology. Fluorescence (epi-fluorescence) is required for DAPI nuclear staining, immunofluorescence (IF) labeling, FISH assays, and fluorescent reporter protein imaging in fixed cells.
Objective quality: plan-achromat vs. plan-apochromat
Plan-achromat objectives correct for chromatic aberration at two wavelengths and are flat (plan) across the field, suitable for routine brightfield and basic fluorescence imaging. Plan-apochromat objectives correct for chromatic aberration at three or more wavelengths and provide superior color fidelity and fluorescence flatness across the full field, required for multi-channel fluorescence imaging, quantitative image analysis, and publication-quality fluorescence documentation. Plan-apochromat sets cost significantly more than plan-achromat sets; specify them when fluorescence image quality and accurate color reproduction matter.
Magnification set
A standard objective set for a research compound microscope: 4x (NA 0.10) for tissue overview; 10x (NA 0.30) for histological pattern assessment; 20x (NA 0.50) for cellular detail without immersion; 40x dry (NA 0.65 to 0.75) for detailed cell morphology; 63x or 100x oil immersion (NA 1.25 to 1.40) for highest-resolution organelle imaging and bacteria identification. For clinical microbiology, 100x oil is the standard for bacterial identification. For routine histology, 10x and 40x are the most used.
Illumination: LED vs. halogen
LED transmitted light illumination is now standard on most new compound microscopes, providing 50,000+ hour lamp life, instant-on operation, no color temperature shift over lifetime, and significantly lower power consumption than halogen. Halogen (6V 30W or 12V 100W) remains in use on older instruments and some entry-level models and requires bulb replacement every 50 to 200 hours. For new purchases, specify LED illumination.
Camera port and documentation
A trinocular head with a C-mount camera port is standard for documentation in research labs. The camera beam splitter on research-grade microscopes maintains eyepiece brightness while splitting a portion of the light to the camera; entry-level trinoculars may dim the eyepiece view when the camera port is in use. A CMOS or CCD camera is required; confirm the camera's pixel size against the objective magnification and required image resolution for your intended analysis.
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<h2>Specifications Context</h2>
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Oil immersion objectives (63x NA 1.40, 100x NA 1.40) require immersion oil between the objective front lens and the coverslip to achieve their rated NA. Confirm that the coverslip thickness is No. 1.5 (0.17 mm); most plan-apochromat objectives are corrected for this standard thickness. Non-standard coverslip thickness introduces spherical aberration that degrades resolution and fluorescence image quality. For routine use in clinical microbiology or hematology where high-throughput slide processing is needed, wide-field eyepieces (22 mm field number) reduce the number of microscope fields needed to survey the full slide area, improving throughput.&nbsp;
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<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the MBP team </a>to discuss product availability or get selection guidance.

Microscopes - Catalog

Choosing a Microscope Made Easy

bScope® Series for Brightfield

bScope® Microscope with E-Plan PLI

EBS-1152-EPLI by Globe Scientific (Euromex) is the bScope&reg; binocular compound microscope with E-Plan IOS PLI objectives (4&times;/10&times;/40&times;/100&times; oil, 40&times;&ndash;1000&times;), 3W NeoLED&trade; K&ouml;hler illumination, 30&deg; Siedentopf head, and rackless X-Y mechanical stage. Antimicrobial protection, CE certified, 10-year warranty. Suitable for microbiology, histology, veterinary, and teaching labs.

Manufacture

bScope binocular microscope, HWF 10x/20mm eyepieces and quintuple nosepiece with E-plan EPLi 4/10/S40/S100x oil infinity corrected IOS objectives, 131 x 152/197mm stage with integrated mechanical 75 x 36mm rackless X-Y stage. 3W NeoLED™ Köhler illumination and integrated power supply. Supplied without rechargeable batteries

bScope trinocular microscope, HWF 10x/20mm eyepieces and quintuple nosepiece with E-plan EPLi 4/10/S40/S100x oil infinity corrected IOS objectives, 131 x 152/197mm stage with integrated mechanical 75 x 36mm rackless X-Y stage. 3W NeoLED™ Köhler illumination and integrated power supply. Supplied without rechargeable batteries

bScope trinocular microscope, HWF 10x/20mm eyepieces and quintuple nosepiece with E-plan EPLi 4/10/S40/S100x oil infinity corrected IOS objectives, 131 x 152/197mm stage with integrated mechanical 75 x 36mm rackless X-Y stage. 3W NeoLED™ Köhler illumination and integrated power supply. Supplied without rechargeable batteries, with CMEX-18 Pro, 18.0MP digital USB-3 camera with 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensor

bScope trinocular microscope, HWF 10x/20mm eyepieces and quintuple nosepiece with E-plan EPLi 4/10/S40/S100x oil infinity corrected IOS objectives, 131 x 152/197mm stage with integrated mechanical 75 x 36mm rackless X-Y stage. 3W NeoLED™ Köhler illumination and integrated power supply. Supplied without rechargeable batteries, with HD-Mini camera, color High definition 2MP high speed camera with 13 inch HD screen, 1280 x 1080p, stand-alone usage with standard 32GB SD card, HDMI output. With built-in mouse-driven capture software

bScope Set Up and Use

bScope® Microscope with Plan PLI

EBS-1152-PLI by Euromex is the bScope® binocular microscope with HWF 10×/20 mm secured eyepieces, Plan IOS 4×/10×/S40×/S100× oil objectives (40×–1000×), 3W NeoLED™ Köhler illumination with cordless capability, rackless Vernier stage, and antimicrobial surface treatment. CE marked, 10-year warranty.

bScope binocular microscope, HWF 10x/20mm eyepieces and quintuple nosepiece with plan PLi 4/10/S40/S100x oil infinity corrected IOS objectives, 131 x 152/197mm stage with integrated mechanical 75 x 36 mm rackless X-Y stage. 3W NeoLED™ Köhler illumination and integrated power supply. Supplied without rechargeable batteries

bScope trinocular microscope, HWF 10x/20mm eyepieces and quintuple nosepiece with plan PLi 4/10/S40/S100x oil infinity corrected IOS objectives, 131 x 152/197mm stage with integrated mechanical 75 x 36 mm rackless X-Y stage. 3W NeoLED™ Köhler illumination and integrated power supply. Supplied without rechargeable batteries

bScope trinocular microscope, HWF 10x/20mm eyepieces and quintuple nosepiece with plan PLi 4/10/S40/S100x oil infinity corrected IOS objectives, 131 x 152/197mm stage with integrated mechanical 75 x 36 mm rackless X-Y stage. 3W NeoLED™ Köhler illumination and integrated power supply. Supplied without rechargeable batteries, with HD-Mini camera, color High definition 2MP high speed camera with 13 inch HD screen, 1280 x 1080p, stand-alone usage with standard 32GB SD card, HDMI output. With built-in mouse-driven capture software

<h2>What are Small RNA Extraction Kits?</h2>
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Small RNA extraction kits selectively enrich RNA molecules shorter than 200 nucleotides - microRNA (miRNA, 18-22 nt), siRNA, snoRNA, tRNA, and 5S rRNA - from mammalian cells, tissue, blood, plant material, and bacteria, using a two-column silica-membrane size-separation workflow. Large RNA species (mRNA, 18S and 28S rRNA, pri-miRNA) bind to the first column and are discarded or collected separately; the small RNA-containing flow-through is bound to a second column under higher ethanol conditions, washed, and eluted in 20-50 ul of RNase-free water. This size-based depletion raises the fractional abundance of low-abundance miRNAs, improving sensitivity in RT-qPCR and microarray assays by 10-100-fold compared to analyzing the same miRNAs in a total RNA background. Choose a small RNA enrichment kit when your assay quantifies individual miRNAs, constructs miRNA-seq libraries, or requires the detection of low-abundance regulatory RNAs that are masked in total RNA fractions.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<li data-section-id="loofp3" data-start="25" data-end="157">ABM's circRNA Isolation Kit for enrichment of circular RNA from total RNA samples through selective removal of linear RNA species.</li>
<li data-section-id="evisf7" data-start="158" data-end="273">Enzymatic circRNA purification workflows utilizing Poly(A) Polymerase and RNase R to improve circular RNA purity.</li>
<li data-section-id="11h421y" data-start="274" data-end="396">Solutions designed to deplete linear transcripts while preserving intact circular RNA molecules for downstream analysis.</li>
<li data-section-id="1qzlekt" data-start="397" data-end="520">RNA enrichment technologies that support circRNA expression profiling, biomarker discovery, and transcriptomics research.</li>
<li data-section-id="qptoyi" data-start="521" data-end="637">High-purity circRNA isolation products suitable for sequencing, RT-qPCR, and other molecular biology applications.</li>
<li data-section-id="1qsfh1t" data-start="638" data-end="746" data-is-last-node="">Streamlined purification methods that enhance recovery of circular RNA fractions from complex RNA samples.</li>
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<h2>How to Choose a Small RNA Extraction Kit</h2>
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Two-Column Size Selection vs. Total RNA with Small RNA Retention
Two-column kits (Thermo Fisher PureLink miRNA) deplete large RNA and enrich for &lt;200 nt species, maximizing miRNA sensitivity. Total RNA kits that retain small RNAs &gt;=17 nt (e.g., Zymo Direct-zol kits) keep all RNA sizes together; they are appropriate for RNA-seq libraries capturing the full transcriptome but are not size-enriched. Choose the two-column approach for miRNA expression profiling and small RNA sequencing.
Simultaneous Large RNA Collection
Kits that collect large RNA on the first column and small RNA on the second allow paired mRNA and miRNA analysis from a single extraction, which is valuable for samples that are limited in quantity. Kits that discard the first column are simpler but sacrifice large RNA recovery.
Sample Input Compatibility
Standard small RNA kits are optimized for 10^4-10^7 cultured mammalian cells or up to 30 mg tissue. For circulating miRNA from plasma or serum, use plasma/serum-specific small RNA kits formulated for low-abundance cell-free RNA matrices; standard cell/tissue kits underperform on cell-free fluids due to insufficient lysis and binding conditions.
Elution Volume
Eluting in 20-25 ul maximizes small RNA concentration for RT-qPCR assays using 1-2 ul input per reaction. For microarray hybridization requiring &gt;=200 ng small RNA per chip, use 30-50 ul elution and pool extractions from multiple samples if needed.
Organic vs. Column-Only Lysis
Column-only kits with guanidinium lysis buffers (phenol-free) are the simplest workflow. For difficult samples (fibrous tissue, polysaccharide-rich plant material), upstream organic lysis with TRIzol followed by column-based small RNA enrichment improves total yield.
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<h2>Specifications Context</h2>
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Typical benchmarks from two-column small RNA enrichment kits: total small RNA yield of 100-500 ng from 1x10^6 mammalian cells, miRNA fraction of 1-25 ng per extraction, A260/A280 &gt;= 1.8, and RT-qPCR quantification of reference miRNAs (miR-21, miR-16) within 2 Ct of established reference values. Small RNA extraction kits are essential tools in cancer biomarker research - circulating miRNAs such as miR-21, miR-155, and miR-210 are under active investigation as liquid biopsy markers at institutions including MD Anderson Cancer Center and Vanderbilt University. Store extracted small RNA at -80 &deg;C in single-use aliquots; small RNAs are particularly susceptible to freeze-thaw degradation due to their short length and low per-molecule mass.
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<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team</a> and get high-quality small RNA extraction kits for your lab today.

Small RNA

DataSheet

MSDS

circRNA Isolation Kit

Unit Quantity

Application

Storage Condition

Note

Shipping Condition

<h2>What are epigenetics dNTPs?</h2>
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Epigenetics dNTPs includes both standard deoxynucleotide triphosphate sets used across many molecular biology applications and modified nucleotide analogs relevant specifically to epigenetic research, with the most important being 5-methyl-dCTP, a base-modified analog in which the cytosine base carries a methyl group at the 5-carbon position. 5-methyl-dCTP can be incorporated into DNA via PCR or in vitro synthesis in place of standard dCTP, producing a defined, fully methylated cytosine-substituted DNA molecule useful as a positive control for methylation detection assays or as a substrate for studying methylation-related enzyme activity.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<li><a href="https://mbpinc.net/reagents/epigenetics/dntps-deoxynucleotide-triphosphates/methylated">Methylated: </a>dNTP mixes used in methylation-sensitive DNA synthesis workflows.&nbsp;Methylated nucleotide analogs for DNA methylation studies and epigenetics research.&nbsp;Standard individual dNTPs (dATP, dCTP, dGTP, dTTP) for PCR analysis and routine DNA synthesis.</li>
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<h2>How to choose epigenetics dNTPs</h2>
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Use 5-methyl-dCTP to build defined, fully methylated control DNA
Substituting 5-methyl-dCTP for standard dCTP in a PCR reaction produces a fully methylated cytosine-substituted amplicon, providing a positive control whose methylation status is defined and known, unlike a positive control derived from genomic DNA with variable, unknown methylation patterns.
Confirm that your methylation detection assay is validated with a defined methylated control
Running a fully methylated positive control through a bisulfite conversion or enzymatic conversion workflow confirms the detection method is correctly interpreting methylated cytosines, helping catch conversion efficiency problems before they affect interpretation of real sample results.
Use methylated dNTP-synthesized DNA to study methylation-sensitive restriction digestion
Some restriction enzymes specifically cleave methylated sequences while others are inhibited by methylation, and a fully methylated DNA produced with 5-methyl-dCTP is a useful substrate for confirming whether a specific enzyme's activity is methylation-sensitive.
Be aware that 5-methyl-dCTP is also believed to be the starting substrate for TET enzyme oxidation
5-methylcytosine is believed to be the substrate for TET family enzymes that produce 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and further oxidation products, making 5-methyl-dCTP-synthesized DNA a potential substrate for in vitro TET enzyme activity studies.
Confirm nucleotide concentration and compatibility with your synthesis conditions
Standard dNTPs and modified analogs like 5-methyl-dCTP are typically supplied as concentrated solutions requiring dilution, and confirming appropriate concentration and buffer compatibility before use ensures consistent, reproducible incorporation into your target DNA.
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<h2>Specifications context</h2>
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5-methyl-dCTP is typically supplied as a 10 mM solution and offers the ability to enzymatically make a defined, fully methylated, cytosine-substituted DNA by PCR or in vitro synthesis, a property that makes it a valuable resource for a variety of biochemical and cellular applications in epigenetics research. As of 2026, methylated DNA probes made with 5-methyl-dCTP continue to serve as methylation reference fragments and as pull-down substrates for 5-hydroxymethylcytosine-binding proteins from cellular lysates, extending their use beyond simple positive controls.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team at Molecular Biology Products Inc. (MBP)</a> to find high-integrity dNTPs tailor-made for your research applications.

dNTPs (Deoxynucleotide Triphosphates)

Protocol

dATP (100 mM) (250 µl)

D1005 by Molecular Biology Products (MBP Inc.) is a 100 mM dATP (deoxyadenosine triphosphate) solution supplied in a 250 µL volume. Ready for direct use in PCR, RT-PCR, nucleotide mix preparation, library preparation, and other molecular biology applications requiring individual dNTP components at a defined molar concentration.

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Storage

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dCTP (100 mM) (250 µl)

D1020 by Zymo Research is 100 mM dCTP solution (250 µl, 25 µmol) with >99% trisphosphate purity by HPLC, free of nuclease and phosphatase contaminants. Use 0.5 µl per 50 µl PCR reaction for a 0.25 mM final concentration; compatible with ZymoTaq™ and other standard DNA polymerases. Store at -20°C (12-month guarantee) or -80°C for extended periods. MBP is a registered vendor for Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Vanderbilt University, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Eurofins, and many other institutes across the USA.

<h2 dir="ltr">What Are Lentiviral &amp; Vector Systems for CRISPR?</h2>
 Lentiviral vector (LV) systems deliver CRISPR/Cas9 components with the capacity to carry complex transgenes and sustain robust, long-term expression across dividing and non-dividing cell types. Unlike transient transfection, lentiviral transduction integrates the transgene into the host genome, making it the method of choice for generating stable Cas9-expressing cell lines and pooled sgRNA library screens. The right vector system influences gene delivery efficiency, expression control, and experimental success. Select the platform that best fits your research objectives.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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Epigenetic Modulator Lentivirus (TET1CD/DNMT3A): Tailored viral platforms created for precise DNA methylation or demethylation to investigate gene control and epigenetic changes at particular sites.
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CRISPRa &amp; CRISPRi Delivery Mechanisms (VPR/KRAB): Advanced dCas9 lentiviral vectors designed for strong transcriptional enhancement or repression while preserving the original DNA sequence.
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Cas9 Nuclease &amp; Nickase Lentiviruses: Immediately usable viral particles that ensure effective transport of double-strand break or single-strand nicking enzymes for lasting site-directed mutagenesis.
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Lentiviral Cloning &amp; Expression Vectors: Adaptable transfection-ready genetic frameworks equipped with C-terminal tags and enhanced promoters for the creation of tailored guide RNA and effector proteins.
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Non-Viral Cas9 Vector Options: High-quality plasmid-based systems intended for temporary expression in scenarios where viral incorporation is not needed.
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High-Titer Packaging Solutions: Viral preparations safe from endotoxins, enhanced for optimal transduction efficiency in delicate therapeutic candidate evaluation and disease modeling.
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<h2 dir="ltr"> How to Choose Lentiviral/Vector CRISPR Systems</h2>
 Packaging Generation Second- and third-generation packaging designs progressively remove viral accessory genes (nef, vif, vpr, vpu) for enhanced biosafety. Third-generation systems split packaging components across two plasmids and eliminate the Tat transactivator, producing replication-incompetent particles suitable for BSL-2 settings. CRISPR-Specific Format Cas9 lentiviral plasmids provide stable Cas9 integration; pre-linearised sgRNA lentiviral plasmids are ready for guide sequence insertion; dox-inducible (Tet-On) Cas9 systems allow temporally controlled editing. Paired Cas9 and sgRNA vectors generate inducible stable editing cell lines. Transient vs. Stable Needs For experiments requiring transient editing without permanent genomic modification, all-in-one or dual-plasmid Cas9/sgRNA transfection systems (lipid-based or electroporation) are appropriate. For stable, heritable expression, lentiviral integration is required. Cell Type Lentiviral vectors transduce both dividing and non-dividing cells, including post-mitotic neurons and macrophages &mdash; applications that gamma-retroviral vectors cannot support. Screening Scale Pooled sgRNA libraries transduced at low MOI enable genome-wide functional screens; stable lentiviral Cas9 cell lines, generated once and banked, provide a consistent starting point for multiple guide RNA screen iterations. 
<h2 dir="ltr"> Specifications Context</h2>
 Lentiviral and vector systems support pooled genome-wide CRISPR knockout screens, stable Cas9 cell line generation, inducible gene editing models, hard-to-transfect primary cell engineering, and CAR-T cell development workflows. Lentiviral plasmids contain LTRs prone to recombination in standard E. coli strains &mdash; recombination-resistant strains such as Stbl3 are recommended for plasmid propagation. Integrase-deficient lentiviral vectors (IDLVs) or RNP electroporation are preferred where insertional mutagenesis risk must be minimised, such as therapeutic cell engineering. For research-scale work where stable integration is the goal, third-generation lentiviral systems remain the standard choice given their established safety record and broad cell-type compatibility across academic and industry labs. Labs new to lentiviral work often start with a well-characterised packaging system and a small pilot transduction before scaling to a full screen or stable line generation campaign.
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Reach out to the professional <a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us" style="color: #236fa1;">team at MBP Inc.</a> now to obtain a quote for the perfect Lentivirus system tailored to your research needs.