Lab automation for high-throughput, high-content screening (HCS)
Fully-integrated, lab automation solution for 3D cell culturing and screening
Explore automation-ready systems for cellular screening workflows
Our automated, high-content screening (HCS) workcell provides an end-to-end solution that helps standardize live 2D/3D cellular development process with cell culture, treatment, and incubation, through to imaging, analysis, and data processing, delivering consistent, unbiased, and biologically-relevant results at scale.
With intuitive scheduling software, researchers can control the 3D workflow remotely, tracking the cell journey from single cell to differentiated organoid along the way. Cell culture and incubation is streamlined with an automated incubator and collaborative robot that maintains culture consistency. Media exchange for culture maintenance is standardized and streamlined with automated liquid handling, minimizing manual intervention. 3D model development can be monitored over time with label-free imaging to assess assay readiness. Plus, with real-time feedback, scheduling of automated compound addition and treatment is standardized.
Automated 3D cell culture and image analysis lab streamlines and scales complex biology research
Check out our new Organoid Innovation Center at Molecular Devices where we showcase these cutting-edge technologies with novel 3D biology methods to address key challenges of scaling complex 3D biology. The collaborative space brings customers and researchers into the lab to test automated workflows for organoid culturing and screening, with guidance from in-house scientists.
Workcell lab components:
- Molecular Devices labware hotels
- AquaMax Microplate Washer
- SpectraMax Microplate Reader with SoftMax Pro GxP Software
- ImageXpress High-content Imaging System:
- ImageXpress Confocal HT.ai
- ImageXpress Pico
- Precise Automation PreciseFlex 400 robot
- Biosero Green Button Go automation scheduling software
- Beckman Coulter Biomek i7 automated liquid handle
- LiCONiC Wave STX44 automated CO2 incubator
- Bionex Solutions HiG4 automated centrifuge
Collaborators for a fully-integrated solution
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Beckman Coulter Biomek i7 automated liquid handler — Industry-leading liquid handler designed to optimize dependability and walk-away time in mid- to high-throughput labs with 45 deck positions, 0.5 - 5,000 µL pipetting volume range, and single or dual head options. |
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Bionex Solutions HiG4 automated centrifuge — Compact, temperature controlled centrifuge offers rapid acceleration up to 5000 x g, providing better pelletizing, cleaner supernatants, and faster filtration than lower speed centrifuges. |
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Biosero Gren Button Go automation scheduling software — Proven software solution guides scientists through the automation experience, empowering them to control timing and scheduling of experiments to make better decisions in less time with more data. |
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LiCONiC Wave STX44 automated CO2 incubator — Complete solution for controlled environmental automated storage in laboratory automation designed with proprietary technology that delivers a robust system for frequent access and optimum environmental control using a variety of labware. |
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Precise Automation PreciseFlex 400 robot — Autosampler developed specifically for benchtop applications where price, ease-of-use, space requirements, and safety are critical, with a four axis configuration and a linear rail to service multiple stations within workcells of varying size. |
Latest Resources
Resources for Lab automation for high content screening (HCS)
Blog
Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine – Technology and Methods Presented at ISSCR 2022
Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine – Technology and Methods Presented at ISSCR 2022
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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Blog
How automated organoid cell cultures are developed, imaged, and analyzed
How automated organoid cell cultures are developed, imaged, and analyzed
3D cell models are becoming increasingly popular for studying complex biological effects, tissue functionality, and diseases. Their ability to self-organize and mimic…
Scientific Poster
Phenotypic profiling based on the Cell Painting assay
Phenotypic profiling based on the Cell Painting assay
Multiparametric high-content screening approaches, such as the Cell Painting assay, are increasingly being used in many applications ranging from drug discovery programs to functiona…
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Blog
Engineering Next-gen Organoids with Automated Lab Workflows at #SLAS2022
Engineering Next-gen Organoids with Automated Lab Workflows at #SLAS2022
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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Blog
Enabling 3D High-Content Imaging and Analysis on the Organ-on-a-Chip Platform
Enabling 3D High-Content Imaging and Analysis on the Organ-on-a-Chip Platform
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-…
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Scientific Poster
Automation of 3D organoid culture workflow with deep-learning based image analysis
Automation of 3D organoid culture workflow with deep-learning based image analysis
3D cell culture as a model system is increasingly popular because it recapitulates the in vivo microenvironment better than 2D cell cultures. Organoids have the capacity for stable d…
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Scientific Poster
Automation and high content imaging of 3D triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived
Automation and high content imaging of 3D triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived
Triple negative breast cancer is a clinically aggressive tumor subtype, with high rates of metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance. Currently there are no clinically approved sma…
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Blog
Lab Automation 101: Inside Access From Our Subject Matter Expert
Lab Automation 101: Inside Access From Our Subject Matter Expert
In life sciences, more is more. Obtaining a great body of data that is consistent and insightful to get a qualitative and quantitative overview of your model is critical. However,…
Application Note
Deep Learning-based Image Analysis for Label-free Live Monitoring of iPSC and 3D Organoid Cultures
Deep Learning-based Image Analysis for Label-free Live Monitoring of iPSC and 3D Organoid Cultures
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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Blog
Innovation at Molecular Devices: Updates in Automated, High-Content Imaging
Innovation at Molecular Devices: Updates in Automated, High-Content Imaging
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…
Publications
Talking Techniques | Organoids: advancing drug discovery and cancer research
Talking Techniques | Organoids: advancing drug discovery and cancer research
"As the transition from 2D to 3D cell cultures, or organoids, as the gold standard for modeling basic biology and disease continues, these models are being utilized in ever m…
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Blog
Stem cell science insights and breakthroughs presented at #ISSCR2021
Stem cell science insights and breakthroughs presented at #ISSCR2021
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…
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Application Note
Organoids for disease modeling and in vitro drug screening
Organoids for disease modeling and in vitro drug screening
We describe an automated integrated system that would allow automated monitoring, maintenance, and characterization of growth and differentiation of organoids and stem cells, as well…
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Publications
Project Profile: Organoid Innovation Center
Project Profile: Organoid Innovation Center
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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Publications
Organs-on-Chips: Expand the Boundaries of In Vitro Testing
Organs-on-Chips: Expand the Boundaries of In Vitro Testing
Humans began culturing animal cells and tissues as early as the late 19th century, when Wilhelm Roux first showed that chick embryos could be cultured in saline solution for a few da…
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Blog
Tips for running a successful live cell imaging experiment
Tips for running a successful live cell imaging experiment
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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Blog
Overcome the challenges of high-throughput 3D imaging
Overcome the challenges of high-throughput 3D imaging
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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Publications
Shaping the Future of Organoid Research
Shaping the Future of Organoid Research
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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Publications
Disease Modeling with 3D Cell-Based Assays Using a Novel Flowchip System and High-Content Imaging
Disease Modeling with 3D Cell-Based Assays Using a Novel Flowchip System and High-Content Imaging
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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Publications
How AI is advancing neurodegenerative disease research
How AI is advancing neurodegenerative disease research
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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Blog
Overcome the challenges of high-content cell analysis through AI/machine learning
Overcome the challenges of high-content cell analysis through AI/machine learning
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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Publications
Using 3D cancer cell models to push forward personalized medicine
Using 3D cancer cell models to push forward personalized medicine
Using 3D cancer cell models to push forward personalized medicine: an interview with Angeline Lim, PhD, of Molecular Devices
Editor-in…
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Scientific Poster
Automated 3D cell-based assays using a novel flow chip system and high-content imaging
Automated 3D cell-based assays using a novel flow chip system and high-content imaging
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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Scientific Poster
Novel assay methods for cancer patient derived organoids
Novel assay methods for cancer patient derived organoids
In recent years, researchers have transitioned from traditional 2D assays to more complex 3D cell models, as they are shown to recapitulate the in vivo environment and serve…
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Blog
How Cell Painting is making its mark on drug discovery
How Cell Painting is making its mark on drug discovery
Have you ever heard the old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words?” When it comes to Cell Painting, this saying is especially true. Cell Painting is a high-content,…
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Publications
Danaher’s SCIEX and Molecular Devices Businesses Debut New Products
Danaher’s SCIEX and Molecular Devices Businesses Debut New Products
It has been a busy beginning of the year for Danaher’s Life Sciences segment. In January, the business reported 2020 revenues of $10.6 billion, represen…
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Scientific Poster
Using a laser light source for high-content automated imaging
Using a laser light source for high-content automated imaging
In this study, we demonstrate improvement in assay sensitivity, precision, and speed of acquisition with a new configuration of the ImageXpress® Confocal HT.ai High-Content Imaging S…
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Scientific Poster
Simplified workflow for phenotypic profiling based on the Cell Painting assay
Simplified workflow for phenotypic profiling based on the Cell Painting assay
Multiparametric high-content screening approaches, such as the Cell Painting assay, are increasingly being used in many applications ranging from drug discovery programs to functiona…
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Scientific Poster
Lung organoids as an assay model for in vitro assessment of toxicity effects by 3D high-content imaging and analysis
Lung organoids as an assay model for in vitro assessment of toxicity effects by 3D high-content imaging and analysis
Organoid models have increasingly gained popularity in biologic research and screening to recapitulate complexity of real tissues. To model the in vivo human lungs, we have cultured…
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Application Note
Improve sensitivity, speed, and assay quality for complex biological assays
Improve sensitivity, speed, and assay quality for complex biological assays
Here, we demonstrate improvement in assay sensitivity, quality, and speed of acquisition with the ImageXpress® Confocal HT.ai, our high-content imaging laser-based system.
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Application Note
High-content phenotypic profiling using the Cell Painting assay
High-content phenotypic profiling using the Cell Painting assay
Here, we present a complete workflow for a cell painting assay that can be easily implemented using the ImageXpress Micro system and image analysis with machine learning capabilities
eBook
Cellular Imaging Insights
Cellular Imaging Insights
Gain insights and expedite studies for 2D and 3D cellular structures using automated cellular imaging.
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Blog
Life sciences technology predictions for 2021
Life sciences technology predictions for 2021
For over 30 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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Publications
Multiple Steps from Microplate-Reader Workstations
Multiple Steps from Microplate-Reader Workstations
Scientists take many roads to overcoming bottlenecks in workflows. For example, a workstation including a microplate reader can handle multiple steps, which improves efficiency and a…
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Publications
Transcriptomics-based drug repositioning pipeline identifies therapeutic candidates for COVID-19
Transcriptomics-based drug repositioning pipeline identifies therapeutic candidates for COVID-19
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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Blog
Advancing scientific discovery to improve quality of life
Advancing scientific discovery to improve quality of life
Accomplishing scientific breakthroughs can be a slow and arduous process. However, time is of the essence when dementia, cancer, cardiac disease, COVID-19, and more continue to…
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Blog
Get to know our Field Applications Scientist: Kayla Hill
Get to know our Field Applications Scientist: Kayla Hill
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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Publications
Advanced Cell Screening and Imaging Reveals How the Cardiac System Responds in Drug Development
Advanced Cell Screening and Imaging Reveals How the Cardiac System Responds in Drug Development
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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Publications
Improving acquisition and analysis of 3D cell model assays with water immersion objectives
Improving acquisition and analysis of 3D cell model assays with water immersion objectives
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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Publications
The workflow game-changer: combined technologies for efficiency
The workflow game-changer: combined technologies for efficiency
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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Publications
Neuroscience: bridging the gap between cell-based and human research
Neuroscience: bridging the gap between cell-based and human research
Neurological disorders impact up to a billion people around the world and appear to be on the rise [1]. In fact, those affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems – includin…
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Application Note
3D image analysis and characterization of angiogenesis in organ-on-a-chip model
3D image analysis and characterization of angiogenesis in organ-on-a-chip model
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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Publications
Imaging system produces human cellular morphological data for COVID-19 research
Imaging system produces human cellular morphological data for COVID-19 research
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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Publications
3D Microscopy Keeps Getting Faster, Smarter, Leaner
3D Microscopy Keeps Getting Faster, Smarter, Leaner
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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Publications
From 3D high throughput to simple automated imaging: Cellular imaging within reach of every laboratory
From 3D high throughput to simple automated imaging: Cellular imaging within reach of every laboratory
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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Publications
Making the move from 2D to 3D
Making the move from 2D to 3D
Jayne Hesley is a Senior Applications Scientist for Cellular Imaging at Molecular Devices, LLC. She has over 10 years’ experience developing cell-based applications using ImageXpress…
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Publications
Everything you need to know about the ImageXpress Pico Automated Cell Imaging System
Everything you need to know about the ImageXpress Pico Automated Cell Imaging System
Depending on your application and exactly what you are researching, there are multiple imaging techniques available, ranging from confocal microscopy to electron microscopy and more…
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Scientific Poster
Water immersion objectives for automated high-content imaging to improve precision and quality of complex biological assays
Water immersion objectives for automated high-content imaging to improve precision and quality of complex biological assays
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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Publications
2020 Society for Lab Automation and Screening International Conference & Exhibition: Laboratories Embrace Automation
2020 Society for Lab Automation and Screening International Conference & Exhibition: Laboratories Embrace Automation
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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Publications
LabTube Meets Molecular Devices & MIMETAS
LabTube Meets Molecular Devices & MIMETAS
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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Publications
The importance of the cellular microenvironment in the development of more efficient drugs against complex diseases
The importance of the cellular microenvironment in the development of more efficient drugs against complex diseases
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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Publications
Microenvironment and 3D image analysis key in the development of more efficient drugs against complex diseases
Microenvironment and 3D image analysis key in the development of more efficient drugs against complex diseases
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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Publications
Harnessing the latest imaging technology to advance angiogenesis research
Harnessing the latest imaging technology to advance angiogenesis research
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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Publications
High-content imaging systems help unlock the full potential of 3D tissue models
High-content imaging systems help unlock the full potential of 3D tissue models
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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Publications
High-content screening of complex physiologically-relevant cell models
High-content screening of complex physiologically-relevant cell models
Recent years have seen an increasing demand for drug discovery and development processes to use more predictive, higher complexity, physiologically-relevant three-dimensional (3D) ce…
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Publications
Rising growth of the global high‑content screening software and services market
Rising growth of the global high‑content screening software and services market
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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eBook
Cellular Imaging Made Easy
Cellular Imaging Made Easy
A streamlined workflow for cell counting and phenotypic characterization is critical to many experiments. Our SpectraMax® i3x microplate reader with MiniMax™ cytometer provides you w…
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Application Note
High-content assay for morphological characterization of 3D neuronal networks in a microfluidic platform
High-content assay for morphological characterization of 3D neuronal networks in a microfluidic platform
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…
Automating culture and high-content imaging of 3D organoids for in vitro assessment of compound effects
Tips to automating molecular cloning and strain engineering applications
Organoid Innovation Center Walkthrough
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
Transitioning high-content assays to 3D: Scientific opportunities and imaging challenges
Getting started with imaging 3D cell models – all you need to know
Developing high-throughput organ-on-a-chip tissue models for drug discovery using high-content imaging
Physiologically-Relevant Tissue Models Using a High-Throughput Organ-on-a-Chip Platform
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