What is water immersion technology?
Water immersion, in terms of high-content imaging, is the technology that automatically and consistently places a layer of water between the objective (magnification) and the sample.
Many cell imaging systems are designed to have air between the objective and the sample. When using air objectives for 3D imaging, a significant portion of the fluorescent light that is emitted from a sample is refracted away from the objective and becomes lost. This reduces the signal that is collected from the sample, and causes the sample to appear distorted.
Oil objectives have been the gold standard for 3D confocal imaging, because they collect more light from the sample, which increases the signal intensity and enhances the image resolution. However, oil objectives are still problematic, as oil can be difficult to handle in an automated fashion and these objectives can also cause some distortion when imaging large 3D samples.
Water immersion objectives for the ImageXpress Micro Confocal system
Scientists often experience difficulties screening complex models and obtaining better data quality. With water immersion objectives on the ImageXpress® Micro Confocal High-Content Imaging System, they can increase signal up to four times, improve z-resolution, and decrease optical aberrations for sharper, crisper images.
To address 3D image analysis workflow challenges, our MetaXpress® 3D analysis software module enables scientists to generate greater phenotypic data within a single interface without compromising throughput or data quality, giving scientists confidence in their discoveries.
Increased average intensity in 3D assay using water immersion objective. Nuclei of spheroids at 50 ms exposure, maximum projection using confocal imaging.
†Data and images were acquired during development using customer samples. Results may vary.
Gain the sensitivity to capture more phenotypic data at greater depths
Water immersion objectives can offer signal increases of up to 4X† which can help scientists see deeper into 3D and thick tissue samples at lower exposure times.
Gain up to 4 times more signal at depth
Improve z-resolution and decrease optical aberrations for more accurate reconstruction of 3D samples.
Gain sharper, crisper images
Better light collection results in images with brighter intensity at lower exposure times, contributing to better quality of data.
Run your samples with confidence
MetaXpress software includes integrated, user-intuitive sensors and alerts to indicate the system health of the water controller system to give you peace of mind when running your samples.
Acquire 3D samples at high throughput
The ImageXpress Micro Confocal system with water immersion objectives automatically replenishes the water during acquisition, so the entire microplate sample can be acquired at high throughput.
Simplify viewing and quantification of 3D structures
Analyze spheroids, microtissues, cells in a 3D matrix, and small organisms that are acquired as a stack of z-planes. Utilize the MetaXpress 3D Analysis Module to evaluate volume, XYZ location, distance to neighboring objects, diameter, depth, various intensity measurements, texture, or number of objects.
Shorten image acquisition time
QuickID targeted acquisition images at low magnification to find objects of interest or rare events, then, automatically acquires high-magnification images with the required wavelengths, z-stack, or time points. This analysis process shortens acquisition time and reduces imaging storage requirements by acquiring selected targets at high-magnification.
†Data and images were acquired during development using customer samples. Results may vary.
More great resources
- Gain deeper insights into cellular 3D structures
- Water immersion objectives for automated high-content imaging
- 3D image analysis and characterization of angiogenesis
- Monitor mitochondria dynamics and phenotype with HCI
- Water immersion technology and high-content imaging: A closer look
- Improve 3D acquisition and analysis with water immersion objectives
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Gain deeper insights into cellular 3D structures
Gain deeper insights into cellular 3D structures with water immersion objectives for high-content imaging. With the increasing interest in using three-dimensional (3D) cultures for assay development and phenotypic screening for a range of cellular models, water immersion objectives are essential for capturing more data at greater depths in 3D structures, such as spheroids and thick tissues.
Gain deeper insights into cellular 3D structures
Gain deeper insights into cellular 3D structures with water immersion objectives for high-content imaging. With the increasing interest in using three-dimensional (3D) cultures for assay development and phenotypic screening for a range of cellular models, water immersion objectives are essential for capturing more data at greater depths in 3D structures, such as spheroids and thick tissues.
Water immersion objectives for automated high-content imaging
Water immersion objectives for automated high-content imaging to improve precision and quality of complex biological assays determining if water immersion objectives, used to improve image quality in complex biological assays, could be used in a high-throughput environment.
Water immersion objectives for automated high-content imaging
Water immersion objectives for automated high-content imaging to improve precision and quality of complex biological assays determining if water immersion objectives, used to improve image quality in complex biological assays, could be used in a high-throughput environment.
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3D image analysis and characterization of angiogenesis
3D image analysis and characterization of angiogenesis in organ-on-a-chip model
- Visualize angiogenic sprouting and 3D reconstitution of structures
- Perform quantitative assessment of angiogenesis, including number of sprouts, total volume, and average intensity
- Generate physiologically-relevant results using the OrganoPlate® platform
3D image analysis and characterization of angiogenesis
3D image analysis and characterization of angiogenesis in organ-on-a-chip model
- Visualize angiogenic sprouting and 3D reconstitution of structures
- Perform quantitative assessment of angiogenesis, including number of sprouts, total volume, and average intensity
- Generate physiologically-relevant results using the OrganoPlate® platform
Monitor mitochondria dynamics and phenotype with HCI
Monitor mitochondria dynamics and phenotype with high-content imaging
- Achieve better visualization of changes in mitochondrial shape and structure
- Quantify and measure phenotypic changes in a more efficient and precise manner
- Understand mechanisms of disease and assess compound toxicity in a variety of cell models
Monitor mitochondria dynamics and phenotype with HCI
Monitor mitochondria dynamics and phenotype with high-content imaging
- Achieve better visualization of changes in mitochondrial shape and structure
- Quantify and measure phenotypic changes in a more efficient and precise manner
- Understand mechanisms of disease and assess compound toxicity in a variety of cell models
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Water immersion technology and high-content imaging: A closer look
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 generate more physiologically relevant data than many 2D assays. With the increased utilization of 3D cultures for phenotypic screening and toxicity assessment, there is a growing need to optimize assay sensitivity, resolution, and throughput.
Water immersion technology and high-content imaging: A closer look
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 generate more physiologically relevant data than many 2D assays. With the increased utilization of 3D cultures for phenotypic screening and toxicity assessment, there is a growing need to optimize assay sensitivity, resolution, and throughput.
Improve 3D acquisition and analysis 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, software, and consumables for life science research, pharmaceutical, and biotherapeutic development.
Improve 3D acquisition and analysis 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, software, and consumables for life science research, pharmaceutical, and biotherapeutic development.
Resources for Water Immersion Objectives
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High-performance Customizations
High-performance Customizations
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
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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Application Note
Monitor mitochondria dynamics and phenotype with high-content imaging
Monitor mitochondria dynamics and phenotype with high-content imaging
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…
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.
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Flyer
Water Immersion Objectives for the ImageXpress Micro Confocal system
Water Immersion Objectives for the ImageXpress Micro Confocal system
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, 3D a…
Videos & Webinars
Gain deeper insights into cellular 3D structures with water immersion objectives