ImageXpress Micro Confocal High-Content Imaging System
Unique confocal imaging solution capable of imaging more than a million wells a week
Unique confocal imaging solution capable of imaging more than a million wells a week
The ImageXpress® Micro Confocal system is a high-content solution that can switch between widefield and confocal imaging of fixed and live cells. It can capture high quality images of whole organisms, thick tissues, 2D and 3D models, and cellular or intracellular events. The spinning disk confocal and sCMOS camera enable imaging of fast and rare events like cardiac cell beating and stem cell differentiation. With MetaXpress software and flexible options like water immersion objectives to choose from, the system enables many confocal imaging applications from 3D assay development to screening.
Quantify low and high intensity signals in a single image with >3 log dynamic range intensity detection.
The technology provides increased sensitivity with specially designed optics, high-powered, solid state light engines, and sCMOS sensor. Swappable disc geometries provide flexibility between speed and resolution.
Wide field of view enables whole-well confocal imaging and eliminates missed targets.
For assays that involve compound addition, well washing, and media exchange, optional on-board robotic fluidics are available.
MetaXpress 3D analysis module is optimized for confocal imaging, enabling 3D measurements of volume and distance.
The system offers phase contrast and brightfield label-free imaging, fluorescence, widefield, colorimetric, and confocal imaging, as well as, water immersion imaging as a standard option.
Our proprietary AgileOptix technology enables the ImageXpress Micro Confocal system to deliver the sensitivity and throughput needed for demanding applications. AgileOptix is the combination of a powerful solid state, light engine, specially designed optics, scientific CMOS sensor, and the ability to change disk geometries.
Three-dimensional (3D) cell models are physiologically relevant and more closely represent tissue microenvironments, cell-to-cell interactions, and biological processes that occur in vivo. Now you can generate more predictive data by incorporating technologies like the ImageXpress system with the integrated 3D Analysis Module in MetaXpress® software. This single interface will enable you to meet 3D acquisition and analysis challenges without compromise to throughput or data quality, giving you confidence in your discoveries.
Cancer researchers need tools that enable them to more easily study the complex and often poorly understood interactions between cancerous cells and their environment, and to identify points of therapeutic intervention. Learn about instrumentation and software that facilitate cancer research using, in many cases, biologically relevant 3D cellular models like spheroids, organoids, and organ-on-a-chip systems that simulate the in vivo environment of a tumor or organ.
Cell counting is fundamental and critical to numerous biological experiments. Assays such as drug compound toxicity, cell proliferation, and inhibition of cell division rely on the assessment of the number or density of cells in a well.
The movement or migration of cells is often measured in vitro to elucidate the mechanisms of various physiological activities such as wound healing or cancer cell metastasis. Cell migration assays may be conducted in a controlled environment using live cell timelapse imaging.
One common way of culturing cells in three dimensional space is through the use of extracellular matrix-based hydrogels, such as Matrigel. Cells are grown in an extracellular matrix (ECM) to mimic an in vivo environment. Differences between Matrigel and 2D cell cultures can be readily seen by their different cell morphologies, cell polarity, and/or gene expression. Hydrogels can also enable studies on cell migration and 3D structure formation, such as endothelial cell tube formation in angiogenesis studies.
Here we've addressed common applications in infectious disease research including cell line development, binding affinity, viral neutralization, viral titer and more with a focused effort on understanding the SARS-CoV-2 virus in order to develop potential therapies for COVID-19 including vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
The drug discovery landscape is shifting, with more scientists centering cell line development, disease models, and high-throughput screening methods around physiologically-relevant 3D cell models. The reason for this is clear: Using cellular model systems in research that closely mimic patient disease states or human organs can bring life-saving therapeutics to market – faster.
Live cell imaging is the study of cellular structure and function in living cells via microscopy. It enables the visualization and quantitation of dynamic cellular processes in real time. Live cell imaging encompasses a broad range of topics and biological applications—whether it is performing long-term kinetic assays or fluorescently labeling live cells.
Neurons create connections via extensions of their cellular body called processes. This biological phenomenon is referred to as neurite outgrowth. Understanding the signaling mechanisms driving neurite outgrowth provides valuable insight into neurotoxic responses, compound screening, and for interpreting factors influencing neural regeneration. Using the ImageXpress Micro system in combination with MetaXpress Image Analysis Software automated neurite outgrowth imaging and analysis is possible for slide or microplate-based cellular assays.
Organoid technology, like organ-on-a-chip emulates organ physiology though co-culture of cells in a supportive 3D matrix and use of microfluidic channels to perfuse nutrients or compounds over the resulting cellular structures. It is rapidly gaining popularity as a biologically relevant screening model for new drugs and toxicity.
Spheroids are multi-cellular 3D structures that mimic in vivo cell responses and interactions. They can be highly reproducible and to be scaled for high-content screening. Compared with adherent cells grown in 2D monolayers, 3D growth conditions are believed to more closely reflect the natural environment of cancer cells. Acquiring measurements from these larger structures involve acquiring images from different depths (z-planes) within the body of the spheroid and analyzing them in 3D, or collapsing the images into a single 2D stack before analysis.
Pluripotent stem cells can be used for studies in developmental biology or differentiated as a source for organ-specific cells and used for live or fixed cell-based assays on slides or in multi-well plates. The ImageXpress system has utility in all parts of the stem cell researcher’s workflow, from tracking differentiation, to quality control, to measuring functionality of specific cell types.
Toxicology is the study of adverse effects of natural or man-made chemicals on living organism. It is a growing concern in our world today as we are exposed to more and more chemicals, both in our environment and in the products we use.
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Molecular Devices has global leadership in the scale-up and industrial manufacture of human-derived 3Dorganoids using our proprietary bioprocess. Organoids offer significant benefits ov…
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3D bioprinting enables the generation of complex models with spatial control and a variety of matrices allowing the formation of complex tissue structures. Here we describe a method for…
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The drug discovery landscape is changing. Bringing a drug to market has historically been time-consuming and costly, with many candidates failing in the first phase of clinical trials…
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Compound library screens using 2D monolayer cancercell lines are commonly performed in the pharmaceutical industry, to identify molecules with therapeutic potential. Multiple analogues…
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In drug discovery, the focus has shifted recently towards the development of compounds targeting the so-called ‘cancer stem cell’ populations within tumors. Non-specific, “Standard of…
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Most potential oncology drugs fail at the later stages of the drug development pipeline and in clinical trials, despite having promising data for their efficacy in vitro. This high f…
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Patient derived organoids (PDOs) represent a promising tool to reduce pipeline attrition in drug discovery. These tumor organoids are multicellular mini replicas of the 3D tumor and…
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Many oncology drugs fail at the later stages of the drug development pipeline and in clinical trials, despite promising data for their efficacy in vitro. This high failure rate is…
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The automation of the 3D cell models results in a significant reduction in the time and effort involved, as well as an increase in assay precision and throughput. Here we describe metho…
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Organotypic three-dimensional (3D) cultures resemble native 3D tissue architecture and are believed to be more representative of real tissues than their 2D (monolayer) counterparts, thu…
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Target discovery and drug development rely heavily on 2D cell and animal models to decipher efficacy and toxic effect of drug candidates. Yet, 90% of candidates fail to make it past…
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SAN JOSE, Calif., and UTRECHT, Netherlands, Feb. 13, 2023 – Molecular Devices, LLC., a leading provider of high-performance life science solutions, and HUB Organoids (HUB), the pioneer…
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Introduction – the problem. The average cost of bringing a new drug to the clinic is around $1 billion according to a study conducted by the London School of Economics in March 2020…
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As we enter the era of sophisticated drug discovery with gene therapy and personalized medicine, we need to be prepared to study complex diseases, assess the therapeutic effect of…
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T-cell therapies are designed to help our immune system eliminate cancer cells. Those include CAR T-cells (Chimeric Antigen Receptor engineered T-cells), tumor infiltrating lymphocytes…
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More researchers are using gene editing to build disease models that better represent human tissues' complex biology, signaling a shift away from 2D cell culture or animal models to…
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3DPrint.com, the leading source for actionable intelligence related to 3D printing technology and the larger AM industry, covers our collaboration…
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Following our acquisition of Cellesce Ltd, Tanya Samazan from Instrument Business Outlook dove deep into conversation with Molecular Devices President Susan Murphy and Cellesce CEO V…
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Turnkey platform integrates flexible robotic automation with high-content imaging of complex 3D cellular models, enabling high-volume organoid screening SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 4, 2023…
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The BioAssemblyBot® 400 is an intelligent robot used by life scientists to build 3D model systems with increased throughput and precision, alleviating major concerns mentioned above.…
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First-of-its-kind technology from Cellesce creates consistent patient-derived organoids for large scale drug screening Acquisition strengthens Molecular Devices’ position as a 3D…
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Gone are the days of only measuring single parameters in cell-based experiments. Instead, researchers should widen their focus, namely with the help of innovations like the Cell Pain…
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3D cellular models that more accurately represent various microenvironments are incredibly important for accurate drug screening and disease modeling.
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We recently partnered with HeartBeat.bio to automate and scale the production of cardioids — 3D cell models of the heart that can more accurately recapitulate human biology.
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In April 2021, we launched our Organoid Innovation Centre (OIC), an initiative designed to help scientists leverage the potential of 3D biology throughout the drug discovery process.…
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Complex biological systems such as spheroids, organoids, and organ-on-a-chip are becoming more popular for disease modeling and drug screening as they better simulate organs and tiss…
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The human brain is highly complex which makes it challenging to study both in vitro and in-model organisms. Cultured neurons do not sufficiently recapitulate the three-dimensional (3D…
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It was another great year at ISSCR 2022! Leaders from across the globe came together to discuss new technologies, share insights, and explore the newest breakthroughs in stem cell…
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The human heart is a complex organ providing highly regulated processes of moving blood through the body. The adult human ventricle is comprised of cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells,…
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The use of patient-derived tumor tissue has transformed the field of drug and target discovery research, providing a translational tool and physiologically relevant system to evaluate…
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Three-dimensional (3D) organoid development is one of the most important advancements in drug discovery research to date.
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Cell migration is an essential process for many biological phenomena such as early embryonic development and immune cell response. During inflammation, the recruitment of T cells…
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There is a critical need for biological model systems that better resemble human biology. Three-dimensional (3D) cell models and organ-on-a-chip (OoC) structures representing various…
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SLAS2022, the Society for Lab Automation and Screening conference offered another exciting year for learning about innovative laboratory technologies. Whether you attended in-person…
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Imagine having the ability to mimic the human biological environment for disease modeling and drug screening and doing so in a micro-scale system. With the development of organ-on-a-…
Customer Breakthrough
In the Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) space, there has been a strong need for an in vitro model that allows researchers to better s…
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Complex 3D biological models such as organoids and patient-derived spheroids are gaining popularity in many biomedical research areas because they more closely recapitulate the in vivo…
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From customer feedback to workflow improvements The path to understanding complex biological processes and diseases is paved with a lot of challenges. As the desired level of…
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If you didn't get a chance to visit us at our poster sessions during ISSCR 2021, don’t fret. We've gathered all our sessions right here for you. The ISSCR Annual Meeting brought…
Scientific Poster
Complex 3D biological models such as organoids and patient derived spheroids are gaining popularity in many biomedical research areas because they more closely recapitulate the in vi…
Scientific Poster
The use of patient-derived tumor tissue has transformed the field of drug and target discovery research, providing a translational tool and physiologically relevant system to evaluat…
Publications
Lab Manager speaks to Dan O’Connor, vice president, drug discovery, Molecular Devices, about the company’s Organoid Innovation Center in San Jose, CA. The center is 180 sq. ft., with…
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Culturing cell models in 3D has the advantage of recreating a more 𝘪𝘯 𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘰-like cell environment. With this improved physiological relevance comes a variety of considerations to…
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There have been significant advancements in microscopy and camera technology, as well as advancements in technologies for labeling molecules of interest over the past decade. These…
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In recent years, the need to have physiologically accurate 3D cell models for research and drug development has been steadily growing. Researchers have been perfecting the formation…
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Thanks to recent advances in imaging technologies, we are now able to observe and analyze complex cellular networks in three dimensions. Through 3D imaging, we can acquire and…
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Molecular Devices, a provider of innovative life science technology, recently unveiled a brand new, first-of-its-kind Organoid Innovation Center. Situated at the company’s global hea…
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There is an increasing interest in using three-dimensional (3D) cell structures for modeling tumors, organs, and tissue to accelerate translational research. We describe here a novel…
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In this guest editorial, explore how artificial intelligence is becoming a powerful tool for drug discovery
As part of the SelectScience Advances in Drug Discovery Special Fea…
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is finding its way into many aspects of modern life, from autonomous vehicles to voice-powered personal assistants, and even the creation of art. But it…
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Editor-in…
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There is an increasing interest in using three-dimensional (3D) cell structures for modeling tumors, organs, and tissue to accelerate translation research. Significant progress has b…
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Gain insights and expedite studies for 2D and 3D cellular structures using automated cellular imaging.
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For over 40 years, Molecular Devices has been at the forefront of technological advances which have contributed to significant scientific breakthroughs. To kick off the new year, we…
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Immunology is now, more than anytime in recent history, one of the top fields of research. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) continue to enjoy intense interest as potential therapeutics.…
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Known as lab-on-a-chip systems, microfluidics gained popularity for its demonstrated success manipulating small volumes of fluid to control chemical, biological, and physical processes.
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As the field of cell biology moves toward increasing complexity of assays, 3D cell systems have proven to provide more physiologically relevant information as compared to…
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The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged in December 2019 and has few effective treatments. We applied a computational drug repositioning pipeline to SARS-CoV-2 differential gene expressio…
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Three-dimensional (3D) cellular assays have emerged as a valuable tool in drug discovery and biological research, as they closely mimic in vivo environments and are shown to…
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Kayla Hill discusses the latest trends in cellular imaging We recently hosted a webinar with our Field Applications Scientist, Kayla Hill, PhD, who explored high-content analysis…
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Angiogenesis is the physiological process of formation and remodeling of new blood vessels and capillaries from pre-existing blood vessels.1 This can be achieved through e…
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3D spheroid models for cancer research are gaining popularity because they better mimic the in vivo tissue architecture, gene expression and metabolic profile of tumors compared to…
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In drug discovery, time and monetary investments increase significantly the further candidates advance through the preclinical phase of testing, analysis and evaluation. By excluding…
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Investigate diverse 3D models and resolve common challenges experienced in 3D cell culture assays.
Scientific Poster
Cell-based phenotypic assays have become an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional in vitro and in vivo testing in pharmaceutical drug development and toxicological safet…
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Sebastian Peck is a senior product manager for cellular imaging at Molecular Devices, one of the world's leading providers of high-performance bioanalytical measurement systems, soft…
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Microfluidic flowchip technology combined with three-dimensional (3D) imaging is a powerful duo poised to change the future of drug discovery and development. The integration of comb…
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Angiogenesis is the physiological process of formation and remodeling of new blood vessels and capillaries from pre-existing blood vessels. This can be achieved through endothelial…
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The FLIPR Penta system is powered by a high-speed EMCCD camera and the new ScreenWorks Peak Pro 2 software. The system allows measurement and analysis of complex patterns of calcium…
Scientific Poster
There is an increasing interest in using three-dimensional (3D) cell structures for modeling tumors, organs, and tissue to accelerate translation research.1 Significant progress has…
Scientific Poster
Cell-based phenotypic assays have become an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional in vitro and in vivo testing in pharmaceutical drug development and toxicological safet…
Publications
In an effort to better understand the cellular responses to COVID-19, the digital biology company Recursion has publicly released the world’s largest imaging dataset portraying thera…
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With each passing day, continuous advancements are being made in the studies that cutting-edge instruments can perform and in the complexity of the biological samples that are being…
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Mitochondria are the main energy source for cells and play a key role in regulating cellular metabolism. Mitochondria can change their structures depending on environmental conditions…
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OUR ABILITY to image cells has come a long way since the pioneering days of Galileo Galilei and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. The multiple imaging techniques available today range from si…
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Revolutionizing early drug discovery for immuno-oncology and neurodegenerative disease modelling: High throughput imaging of 3D models of disease
…
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The development of 3D cellular models of disease has enabled researchers to better recapitulate in vivo cell environments. As 3D models become more prevalent in the drug discovery in…
Scientific Poster
To speed up the development of more effective and safer drugs, there is an increasing need for more complex, biologically relevant and predictive cell-based assays for drug discovery…
Scientific Poster
The purpose of these studies was to determine if water immersion objectives, used to improve image quality in complex biological assays, could be used in a high-throughput environmen…
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The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) held their annual conference January 25–29 in San Diego, California. The show hosts presentations, short courses and an exh…
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Molecular Devices partners with MIMETAS to scale up organoid screening—helping researchers go from 2D to 3D phenotypic relevant organoid screening. At SLAS 2020, they featured the Im…
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Gain the sensitivity to capture more phenotypic data at greater depths. Our high-content imagers and expert team are here to help your lab simplify imaging and analysis of complex, 3…
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The biotechnological start-up is focused on in vitro preclinical research and development, with a specialization in automated cellular imaging: high-content analysis (HCA) and high-c…
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Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from existing ones, is a critical step involved in various biological processes, such as endothelial sprouting, proliferation,…
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The biotechnological start-up is focused on in vitro preclinical research and development with a specialization in cellular imaging: high-content analysis (HCA) and high-content scre…
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The movement or migration of cells has long been studied to elucidate the physiological mechanisms of angiogenesis, embryogenesis, cancer metastasis, immune responses, and wound…
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Ever since the discovery that tumors undergo angiogenesis in order to grow and survive, researchers have sought to better understand the detailed mechanism of new blood vessel format…
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Capture more data at greater depths for 3D and thick tissue samples Scalable, high-performance, high-content screening solutions with the ImageXpress® Micro Confocal system
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Angiogenesis is an important field of research and a focus for cancer therapeutics. In this interview, Dr. Bas Trietsch, CTO, MIMETAS, introduces a new solution for the study of angi…
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Expertise in human iPSC-derived neural and cardiac platforms; Focus on adapting platforms to HTS and producing assay-ready solutions to accelerate drug discovery; Neural platform:…
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Understanding the impact of drugs on cardiac system early in the development process is critical to improve the safety of drugs getting to market. Cardiotoxicity is believed to be one…
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Learn more about the advantages and challenges of using 3D culture in phenotypic screening
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Track contractility of each single cell within each population over long experimental times.
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The ability of mammalian cells to generate mechanical forces—to push, pull, or squeeze—is an intrinsic capability that is used by cells both individually and together as tissue to…
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Screen models that mimic in vivo tumor microenvironment using novel 3D cell culture platform, VersaGel and Symphony
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Effectively image and analyze cell migration using a scratch assay or a dissolvable biocompatible gel
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Most in vitro cell culture work is performed in two-dimensions (2D), where cells grow on a flat surface. However, culturing cells in 2D to screen drugs provides a limited picture of…
eBook
Gain valuable insights into neurobiology, from evaluation of ion channels to analysis of 3D neuron organoids.
eBook
This new eBook discusses early drug safety testing using HTS iPSC-derived cells with imaging. Download it now!
Customer Breakthrough
HCS Pharma is a biotechnology start-up focused on in vitro preclinical research and development. The company specializes in multi-parametric cell imaging assays using High-C…
Scientific Poster
Test compound effects and screen for neurotoxic chemicals using 3D neural spheroids.
Infographic
Learn about the advantage and the technology behind 3D cellular image acquisition and analysis.
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Developments in informatics solutions and high-content imaging instruments, increased focus on cell-based research, and rising government support of research and development for drug…
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Label-free cellular assays are required for a multitude of biological applications that monitor the cell number, proliferation, health, confluency, and cytotoxicity. In this…
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The ability to annotate your plate, plot your data into a graph, and produce a variety of curves and readouts including IC50 values and benchmark dose or concentration for your…
Customer Breakthrough
MIMETAS offers the OrganoPlate®, a unique 3D organ-on-a-chip platform. The OrganoPlate® is a fully compatible microfluidic culture plate, enabling testing of compounds in any through…
Customer Breakthrough
Current models available to neuroscience researchers have limitations that hamper the development of new medicines. Complex models, such as post-mortem brains and animal models, more…
eBook
There has been significant progress in the development of 3D models and techniques during the last few years. Methods include biodegradable scaffolds, organ-on-a chip structures, or…
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Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models span the gap between two-dimensional cell cultures and whole-animal systems. By mimicking features of the in vivo environment and taking advant…
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Learn about our imaging family and which solution is best suited to answer your biological questions.
Customer Breakthrough
At the University of Zurich, researchers are interested in late events that occur in human cells infected by replicating pathogens such as viruses. These events typically involve she…
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The ImageXpress Micro Confocal High-Content Imaging System provides improved quantification for live or fixed cell assays. This versatile imaging system features a unique confocal te…
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Capture high-resolution images, recognize and segment objects, calculate parameters, and then translate your information into meaningful data. At Molecular Devices, we’re inspired by…
Scientific Poster
Development of predictive in vitro assays for early toxicity evaluation is extremely important for improving the drug development process and reducing drug attrition rates during cli…
Scientific Poster
The biopharma industry is continuing to adapt more cell-based assays for primary and secondary screening because of higher biological relevance and increased value of information.…
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Using high-content imaging assays allow cells cultured and treated in microplates to be imaged alive without wash steps for real-time studies of cells in their most natural state,…
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Cell models are becoming more complex in order to better mimic in vivo microenvironments and provide greater predictivity for compound efficacy and toxicity. There is an increasing…
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Establishment of physiologically-relevant in vitro models is crucial to further understanding of the mechanisms of neurological diseases as well as targeted drug development. While…
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Researchers are turning to three-dimensional (3D) cell culture as a way to increase the biological relevance of their disease models and predictive value of drug studies. These 3D…
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We have previously described the automated plating, treatment, and analysis of 3D spheroids formed in hanging drop
plates (see Automated 3D Cell Culture and Screening by Imaging…
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There is an increasing interest in using three-dimensional (3D) spheroids for modeling cancer and tissue biology to accelerate translational research. The goal of this study was to…
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Cellular transformation/tumorigenicity assays using cultures of cells in semi-solid media (soft agar or Matrigel) has been well established for cancer research1,2,5. The assay requires…
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There is increasing interest in exploring the use of three-dimensional (3D) spheroids for modeling developmental and tissue biology with the goal of accelerating translational research…
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In recent years, there has been significant progress in development of in vitro aggregates of tumor cells for use as models for in vivo tissue environments. When seeded into a well of…
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Many cancer cell lines will form spheroids if cultured on a favorable three dimensional (3D) matrix. These spheroids are believed to represent tumor physiology more closely than cells…
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The ImageXpress® Micro Confocal/ XLS Widefield High-Content Imaging System from Molecular Devices includes optional Fluidics and Environmental Control modules, enabling single-channel…
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The discovery and development of novel drugs is a difficult and expensive process due to lack of tools and techniques to accurately reproduce the human physiological response in the…
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Autophagy is an intracellular catabolic process that sequesters and degrades proteins and organelles that have either been recognized as faulty or are simply no longer needed by the…
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Screening of hybridoma supernatants for antibodies directed against cell-surface antigens is an important step in the discovery and development of antibodies for vaccines or…
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Recently, zebrafish-based screening has gained favor as an alternative to mammalian screening due to cost, throughput and reduced ethical concerns. Zebrafish are a useful model for…
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Apoptosis is an important mechanism signaling programmed death of cells in normal processes such as embryonic development, as well as in diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative…
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The nervous system is sensitive to the toxic effects of many chemical compounds, environmental agents and certain naturally occurring substances. Neurotoxicity can cause temporary or…
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The ability to monitor responses in living cells over a specific period of time offers cell biologists several key advantages for assay development. For routine cellbased screening,…
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Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is an important cause for liver injury and acute liver failure. Thus highly predictive assays for safety and efficacy testing are crucial for improving drug…
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Cardiac hypertrophy is a condition associated with many heart diseases such as myocardial infarction, ischemia, hypertension, valvular dysfunctions, and is also observed as a toxic…
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The ImageXpress® Micro Confocal High-Content Imaging System provides improved quantification for live or fixed cell assays. This versatile imaging system features a unique confocal t…
Scientific Poster
The absence of physiologically relevant in vitro models of the nervous system is an important limitation in using 3D cultures for assay development applicable for neurodegenerative d…
Scientific Poster
Explore PDF & learn the use of fast kinetic fluorescence and 3D image analysis for Phenotypic characterization of compound effects on iPSC-derived Cardiac and Liver Spheroids.…
Scientific Poster
for modeling developmental and tissue biology with the goal of accelerating translational research. Such 3D models can provide different perspectives from traditional 2D cultures on…
Scientific Poster
Learn how to improve sensitivity of DNA damage detection & genotoxicity sensitivity with confocal acquisition to detect nuclear punctae in a high throughput imaging assay.
Scientific Poster
Monitoring treatment effects on the cell cycle is particularly relevant to progressing oncology research and drug discovery. For instance, compounds known to inhibit mitosis are ofte…
Scientific Poster
Development of more complex, biologically relevant, and predictive cell-based assays for compound screening is one of the main challenges in drug discovery. There is an increasing in…
Scientific Poster
Read more about cell based assays for measuring the impact of pharmacological compounds on the rate of beating cardiomyocytes with different assay platforms.
Scientific Poster
There is an emerging interest in using three-dimensional (3D) organoid cultures for modeling tissue biology and cancer. Development of higher throughput assays to quantify phenotypic…
Brochure
Molecular Devices is a leading provider of high-performance bioanalytical measurement solutions for life science research, pharmaceutical development, and biotherapeutic discovery. O…
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Complex assays and three-dimensional cell models better represent tissue biology and cell interactions, making them more relevant for many toxicity and drug screening assays. The abi…
Publications
Cell models are becoming more complex to better mimic the in vivo environment and provide greater predictivity for compound efficacy and toxicity. There is an increasing interest in…
Publications
Comparative assessment of potential human health impacts is a critical step in evaluating both chemical alternatives and existing products on the market. Most alternatives assessment…
Publications
Cell-based high-content screening (HCS) assays have become an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional in vitro and in vivo testing in pharmaceutical drug development and t…
Publications
There is an increasing interest in using three-dimensional (3D) spheroids for modeling cancer and tissue biology to accelerate translation research. Development of higher throughput…
Publications
Abstract Development of predictive in vitro assays for early toxicity evaluation is extremely important for improving the drug development process and reducing drug attrition rates d…
Scale Up Your Screening: Integrating Automation Into 3D Biology for Therapeutic Drug Discovery
Using Differentiated iPSCs to Build Ready-to-use 3D Models
Explore More Complex Biology with Automated Imaging of 3D Assay Models
Immunology and Vaccine Development Workflow
Hybridoma Workflow
Disease modeling in the 21st century: Automated organoid assays with 3D imaging
High-throughput, organoid-derived organ-on-a-chip systems for drug discovery and disease modelling
Unleash the power of Cell Painting
3D cell culture, tissue clearing, & high-content imaging in the quest of effective solutions to NAFLD
Transitioning high-content assays to 3D: Scientific opportunities and imaging challenges
Gain deeper insights into cellular 3D structures with water immersion objectives
An AI-based approach to high-content phenotypic characterization of human iPSC-derived neuronal cells
Implementing 3D Neural Spheroids in Drug Discovery
Accelerate your screening with high-content and automated imaging
Accelerating study of viral infection and therapeutics with microplate-based detection and high-throughput screening
ImageXpress Micro Confocal Virtual Tour
Magnetic 3D Bioprinting, 3D Cell Culture in a 2D Workflow
LabTube Meets Molecular Devices & MIMETAS, Susan Murphy & Sebastiaan Trietsch
Plate annotation and curve fitting in MetaXpress
Quickstart Guide: Plate acquisition on the ImageXpress Micro Confocal using MetaXpress
Quickstart Guide: Review images on the ImageXpress Micro Confocal using MetaXpress
Basic workflow from image acquisition to analysis on the ImageXpress Micro Confocal using MetaXpress
Developing high-throughput organ-on-a-chip tissue models for drug discovery using high-content imaging
Toxicity studies of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and neuronal spheroids
Optimizing high-content screening tools for physiologically-relevant 3D in vitro models
Morphological Characterization of 3D Neuronal Networks in a Microfluidic Platform
3D Imaging of Cancer Spheroids
High-Content Screening for Identifying miRNAs
Identification of Selective Inhibitors of the STAT3 Signaling Pathway
Oliver Kepp and Jayne Hesley - Hallmarks of Cancer - Detect and Quantify Cell Death Signatures with High Content Imaging
Multidimensional High-Throughput Imaging with the New ImageXpress Micro Confocal System
Pushing the Boundaries of High Content Screening
Preparing Assays for Genome-wide RNAi Screens Using High Content Microscopy
Multiplexed High Content Hepatoxicity Assays Using iPSC-Derived Hepatocytes
High Content Imaging Analysis of Cell Sheet Morphogenesis Utilizing 𝘪𝘯 𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘳𝘰 Tissue Models
Simple and Flexible High Content Imaging Enabling Quantitation of Complex Biological Events
Contemporary Automation and High Content Imaging Tools for Screening Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes
Implement High-Throughput 3D Image Analysis for Samples from Subcellular Structures to Spheroids
Live Cell Imaging to Investigate the Regulation of Cell Division Timing
Using High-throughput RNA Screening to Identify Host Factors That Impact Viral Infection
Application of HCA Tools for Antibody Drug Discovery
Setting up 3D Spheroid Assays Using High-Content Imaging
Physiologically-Relevant Tissue Models Using a High-Throughput Organ-on-a-Chip Platform
Emerging Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Applications in Drug Discovery
StemoniX microBrain 3D Assay Ready Plates for HTS
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Purpose: Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer. Histologically, about 90% of the ovarian cancers have epithelial origin and more than 75% are characterized as high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC).
There is an increasing interest in using three-dimensional (3D) cell structures for modeling tumors, organs, and tissue to accelerate translational research. We describe here a novel automated organoid assay system (the Pu·MA System) combined with microfluidic-based flowchips that can facilitate 3D cell-based assays. The flowchip is composed of sample wells, which contain organoids, connected to additional multiple wells that can hold various assay reagents. Organoids are positioned in a protected chamber in sample wells, and fluids are exchanged from side reservoirs using pressure-driven flow. Media exchange, sample staining, wash steps, and other processes can be performed without disruption to or loss of 3D sample. The bottom of the sample chamber is thin, optically clear plastic compatible with high-content imaging (HCI). The whole system can be kept in an incubator, allowing long-term cellular assays to be performed. We present two examples of use of the system for biological research. In the first example, cytotoxicity effects of anticancer drugs were evaluated on HeLa and HepG2 spheroids using HCI and vascular endothelial growth factor expression. In the second application, the flowchip system was used for the functional evaluation of Ca2+ oscillations in neurospheroids. Neurospheres were incubated with neuroactive compounds, and neuronal activity was assessed using Ca2+-sensitive dyes and fast kinetic fluorescence imaging. This novel assay system using microfluidics enables automation of 3D cell-based cultures that mimic in vivo conditions, performs multidosing protocols and multiple media exchanges, provides gentle handling of spheroids and organoids, and allows a wide range of assay detection modalities.
All eukaryotic cells tightly control cellular pH. Proper control of cytoplasmic pH is essential for normal metabolism and cell growth, and acidification of organelles such as the lysosome, endosome, and Golgi apparatus is essential for protein sorting and degradation, ion homeostasis, and signal transduction. The vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase) is one of the central players in pH control. All eukaryotic cells have V-ATPases of remarkably similar structure, and loss of V-ATPase function is lethal at early stages of development in higher eukaryotes and conditionally lethal in fungi.
Neurological disorders affect millions of people worldwide and appear to be on the rise. Whereas the reason for this increase remains unknown, environmental factors are a suspected contributor. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop more complex, biologically relevant, and predictive in vitro assays to screen larger sets of compounds with the potential for neurotoxicity. Here, we employed a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based 3D neural platform composed of mature cortical neurons and astrocytes as a model for this purpose. The iPSC-derived human 3D cortical neuron/astrocyte co-cultures (3D neural cultures) present spontaneous synchronized, readily detectable calcium oscillations. This advanced neural platform was optimized for high-throughput screening in 384-well plates and displays highly consistent, functional performance across different wells and plates. Characterization of oscillation profiles in 3D neural cultures was performed through multi-parametric analysis that included the calcium oscillation rate and peak width, amplitude, and waveform irregularities. Cellular and mitochondrial toxicity were assessed by high-content imaging. For assay characterization, we used a set of neuromodulators with known mechanisms of action. We then explored the neurotoxic profile of a library of 87 compounds that included pharmaceutical drugs, pesticides, flame retardants, and other chemicals. Our results demonstrated that 57% of the tested compounds exhibited effects in the assay. The compounds were then ranked according to their effective concentrations based on in vitro activity. Our results show that a human iPSC-derived 3D neural culture assay platform is a promising biologically relevant tool to assess the neurotoxic potential of drugs and environmental toxicants.
This study set out to develop a high-throughput multiplexed assay using iPSC-derived skeletal myoblasts that can be used as a first-pass screen to assess the potential for chemicals to affect skeletal muscle. We found that cytotoxicity and cytoskeletal integrity are most useful and reproducible assays for the skeletal myoblasts when evaluating overall cellular health or gauging disruptions in actin polymerization following 24 h of exposure. Both assays are based on high-content imaging and quantitative image processing to derive quantitative phenotypes. Both assays showed good to excellent assay robustness and reproducibility measured by interplate and interday replicability, coefficients of variation of negative controls, and Z′-factors for positive control chemicals. Concentration response assessment of muscle-related toxicants showed specificity of the observed effects compared to the general cytotoxicity. Overall, this study establishes a high-throughput multiplexed assay using skeletal myoblasts that may be used for screening and prioritization of chemicals for more complex tissue chip-based and in vivo evaluation.
Development of more complex, biologically relevant, and predictive cell-based assays for compound screening is a major challenge in drug discovery. The focus of this study was to establish high-throughput compatible three-dimensional (3D) cardiotoxicity assays using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Using both high-content imaging and fast kinetic fluorescence imaging, the impact of various compounds on the beating rates and patterns of cardiac spheroids was monitored by changes in intracellular Ca2+ levels with calcium-sensitive dyes. Advanced image analysis methods were implemented to provide multiparametric characterization of the Ca2+ oscillation patterns. In addition, we used confocal imaging and 3D analysis methods to characterize compound effects on the morphology of 3D spheroids. This phenotypic assay allows for the characterization of parameters such as beating frequency, amplitude, peak width, rise and decay times, as well as cell viability and morphological characteristics. A set of 22 compounds, including a number of known cardioactive and cardiotoxic drugs, was assayed at different time points, and the calculated EC50 values for compound effects were compared between 3D and two-dimensional (2D) model systems. A significant concordance in the phenotypes was observed for compound effects between the two models, but essential differences in the concentration responses and time dependencies of the compound-induced effects were observed. Together, these results indicate that 3D cardiac spheroids constitute a functionally distinct biological model system from traditional flat 2D cultures.In conclusion, we have demonstrated that phenotypic assays using 3D model systems are enabled for screening and suitable for cardiotoxicity assessment in vitro.
Cell models are becoming more complex to better mimic the in vivo environment and provide greater predictivity for compound efficacy and toxicity. There is an increasing interest in exploring the use of three-dimensional (3D) spheroids for modeling developmental and tissue biology with the goal of accelerating translational research in these areas. Accordingly, the development of high-throughput quantitative assays using 3D cultures is an active area of investigation. In this study, we have developed and optimized methods for the formation of 3D liver spheroids derived from human iPS cells and used those for toxicity assessment. We used confocal imaging and 3D image analysis to characterize cellular information from a 3D matrix to enable a multi-parametric comparison of different spheroid phenotypes. The assay enables characterization of compound toxicities by spheroid size (volume) and shape, cell number and spatial distribution, nuclear characterization, number and distribution of cells expressing viability, apoptosis, mitochondrial potential, and viability marker intensities. In addition, changes in the content of live, dead, and apoptotic cells as a consequence of compound exposure were characterized. We tested 48 compounds and compared induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived hepatocytes and HepG2 cells in both two-dimensional (2D) and 3D cultures. We observed significant differences in the pharmacological effects of compounds across the two cell types and between the different culture conditions. Our results indicate that a phenotypic assay using 3D model systems formed with human iPSC-derived hepatocytes is suitable for high-throughput screening and can be used for hepatotoxicity assessment in vitro.
3D organotypic culture models such as organoids and multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) are becoming more widely used for drug discovery and toxicology screening. As a result, 3D culture technologies adapted for high-throughput screening formats are prevalent. While a multitude of assays have been reported and validated for high-throughput imaging (HTI) and high-content screening (HCS) for novel drug discovery and toxicology, limited HTI/HCS with large compound libraries have been reported. Nonetheless, 3D HTI instrumentation technology is advancing and this technology is now on the verge of allowing for 3D HCS of thousands of samples. This review focuses on the state-of-the-art high-throughput imaging systems, including hardware and software, and recent literature examples of 3D organotypic culture models employing this technology for drug discovery and toxicology screening.
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Transform your incredible images into captivating results
Molecular Devices provides flexible options for the ImageXpress Micro Confocal High-Content Imaging System to meet your research needs and to easily capture images from different sample formats, including hanging drops and in round or flat bottom plates, for monitoring cell health kinetics under environmental control, and more. With over 30+ years of imaging expertise, we can help you select the right options to ensure the best images for your assay.
20X, 40X, and 60X water immersion objectives improve the geometric accuracy during acquisition and reduce light refraction for brighter intensity at lower exposure times.
Our transmitted light tower enables acquisition of high contrast images for unstained cells which can be easily viewed or separated from background.
Environmental control maintains temperature and humidity levels while minimizing evaporation for multi-day, live cell, time-lapse imaging.
Integrated fluidics automates assay workflows which require compound addition, well washing, and media exchange.
Molecular Devices can successfully tailor the ImageXpress Micro Confocal High-Content Imaging System to include customized software and hardware including the features described below, as well as integration of other lab components such as incubators, liquid handlers, and robotics for a fully automated workcell. With over 30 years of experience in the life science industry, you can count on us to deliver quality products and provide worldwide support.
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Expand experiment capabilities with 5- or 7-channel high-intensity lasers.
Automatic pipettor enables compound addition while simultaneously live streaming at >100 frames per second.
The deep tissue penetrating, confocal disk module reduces crosstalk to improve out-of-focus light suppression and penetrate deeper into tissue.
Schedule and image multiple plates over long periods of time while keeping consistent temperature, O2 (Hypoxia), CO2, and humidity conditions. Expand live cell walk-away capacity to 200+ plates.
Increase throughput, eliminate human errors, maintain sterility, and achieve consistent sample handling. Modular automation design—components can be added in modules and are upgradeable.
High output laser excitation can reduce exposure times by up to 75%.† The laser light source is available as either a 5-channel or 7-channel light source with outputs of 400 —1,000 mW/channel. The 7-channel laser light source Includes near IR and is ideal for customers with increased multiplexing requirements.
Images taken at the same exposure.
Specialized deep tissue penetrating, confocal disk module, combined with a laser light source, improves light penetrance for deeper tissue penetration, resulting in sharper images with improved resolution when imaging thick tissue samples†.
Images taken at the same exposure.
Three-dimensional (3D) cell models are physiologically relevant and more closely represent tissue…
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Cell counting is fundamental and critical to numerous biological experiments. Assays such as drug…
The movement or migration of cells is often measured in vitro to elucidate the mechanisms of…
One common way of culturing cells in three dimensional space is through the use of extracellular…
Here we've addressed common applications in infectious disease research including cell line…
The drug discovery landscape is shifting, with more scientists centering cell line development,…
Live cell imaging is the study of cellular structure and function in living cells via microscopy.…
Neurons create connections via extensions of their cellular body called processes. This biological…
Organoid technology, like organ-on-a-chip emulates organ physiology though co-culture of cells in a…
Spheroids are multi-cellular 3D structures that mimic in vivo cell responses and interactions. They…
Pluripotent stem cells can be used for studies in developmental biology or differentiated as a…
Toxicology is the study of adverse effects of natural or man-made chemicals on living organism. It…
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