QuickID Targeted Acquisition
QuickID Targeted Acquisition works by acquiring an entire field-of-view (FoV) of a sample at low magnification, finds objects of interest or rare events through a fast image analysis process, and then re-acquires only these wells or sites at high magnification with a user configured protocol that may include the relevant wavelengths, z-stacks, and time-points.
Targeted image acquisition is performed by the MetaXpress software and can be used with the ImageXpress High Content Imaging Systems.

Increase imaging efficiency using QuickID Targeted Acquisition
Investigators performing image-based high content screening may face several technical challenges if they need to image their samples at high resolution, at multiple wavelengths, and over a range of z-planes. Such experiments often have lengthy acquisition times (between several hours and a couple of days), a vast need of image storage space (100s of GBs), and high computational power requirements to keep image analysis time managable (the fewer hours the better).
A simple way to minimize all of these challenges is to acquire only the fields-of-view on the slide or in the microplate that contain objects of interest. This technique can be especially useful when the object of interest is scarcely abundant in each sample, randomly distributed in space, or only occurs as a rare event in some of the microwells. This solution, when put into use with our high-content imaging systems and image analysis software, dramatically reduces the time-to-result as well as image storage requirements.
Acquire data 10X faster from 3D cell cultures
In the application note “Acquire data 10X faster from 3D spheroids cultured using Symphony® and VersaGel®” a light crosslinkable hydrogel was used as a matrix to grow 1-4 spheroids/well in a 3 dimensional space. After staining, QuickID was performed using a 2X objective to capture the entire well in one field-of view. Objects of interest were identified and their X and Y coordinates automatically referenced so the ImageXpress Micro system obtained only relevant images at 10X magnification in three wavelengths across multiple z planes. With QuickID, acquisition time was 10X faster than imaging all sites in every well at high magnification and this also reduces the required storage space by 20X.
QuickID was used to streamline spheroid image acquisition. An image acquired at low magnification to view the entire well in one field-of-view was used to identify objects for automatic re-imaging at higher magnification using three wavelengths across multiple z planes.
Automatically image 3D spheroid in the center of FoV
There are several methods for culturing spheroids for screening antitumor drugs. In some formats, the spheroids are not always centered in the well, which may make it difficult to acquire the object of interest in a single field-of-view (FOV) at high magnification. QuickID allowed us to automatically image each spheroid in the center of the FOV using a 20X water immersion objective to collect z stacks in multiple wavelengths without acquiring extra sites.
QuickID was performed with a 10X objective to quickly image an entire microplate. Spherical objects were then identified and their X,Y coordinates were used to automatically acquire only sites that contained a tumor microtissue with a 20X water immersion objective in multiple wavelengths and z planes. Image analysis was performed to find and measure objects within the 3D volume.
Other applications for targeted acquisition
QuickID streamlines the process so only relevant images are acquired which results in significant time-savings and reduced storage needs. Examples of other application areas that would benefit from the use of QuickID include live imaging of dividing cells or model organisms, and imaging specific areas of tissue sections on a slide.
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Mitotic spindle
In a normal cell population, only about 1-5% of cells are in mitosis. Targeted acquisition can be used to identify these cells in the whole population and then follow them over time in high magnification. Tracking and re-centering of single cells is possible should they move out of region during the acquisition time course.
3D micro-spheroids
Micro-spheroids often accumulate at the edge of flat bottom plates. An initial transmitted light acquisition followed by a targeted z-stack acquisition of fluorescent makers can be performed to greatly reduce the number of images required.
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Hippocampus in a brain slide
Depending on the sample morphology and its preparation, the hippocampus and other parts of the brain could end up in various area on a slide. Targeted z-stack acquisition can be performed at multiple wavelengths for the study of co-localization.
Heart beat in zebrafish
The position and orientation of a zebrafish in a well can vary. High magnification z-stack or time-lapse acquisitions of the heart, eye, brain, yolk sac, irridophores, or blood vessels can be performed using targeted acquisition.
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Micronuclei
At low magnification, it is difficult to accurately determine if an object is really a micronucleus or simply just an artifact. Targeted re-acquisition at high magnification can help to reduce the number of false positives.
Latest Resources
Resources for QuickID Targeted Image Acquisition
Publications
Project Profile: Organoid Innovation Center
Project Profile: Organoid Innovation Center
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Organs-on-Chips: Expand the Boundaries of In Vitro Testing
Organs-on-Chips: Expand the Boundaries of In Vitro Testing
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Tips for running a successful live cell imaging experiment
Tips for running a successful live cell imaging experiment
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Shaping the Future of Organoid Research
Shaping the Future of Organoid Research
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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
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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 Feature, gues…
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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-Chief, Francesca Lake, speaks to Angeline Lim of…
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Danaher’s SCIEX and Molecular Devices Businesses Debut New Products
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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, representing 47% of the total revenues of…
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7 tips for optimizing your 3D cell imaging and analysis workflow
7 tips for optimizing your 3D cell imaging and analysis workflow
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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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 no…
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, softwar…
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 combine…
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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 therapeu…
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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 exa…
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From 3D high throughput to simple automated imaging: Cellular imaging within reach of every laboratory
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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 simpl…
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 environment.
Publications
LabTube Meets Molecular Devices & MIMETAS
LabTube Meets Molecular Devices & MIMETAS
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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-cont…
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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 screeni…
Application Note
Acquire data 10X faster from 3D spheroids cultured using Symphony® and VersaGel®
Acquire data 10X faster from 3D spheroids cultured using Symphony® and VersaGel®
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…
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 di…