Neurosphere differentiating into a neuron, imaged on the CellAssist in a 96-well round-bottom plate at 10x resolution in bright-field
CellAssist measures cell growth through doubling time measurement:
HEK293, and A549 in each well of a 6-well plate. Images were collected every 4 hours for a period of 5 days. During the course of this experiment, 27 standard scans (4x bright-field) were collected, and automatically analyzed for confluence by the CellAssist software.
Objective metrics, and images for consistent decision-making
CellAssist accurately measures confluence both in the center, and outer rings of the well, which are typically more challenging to analyze.
The CellAssist offers the option to acquire quick scan images (selected areas of the well), or expertly stitched whole-well images
Daily scans show the capability of CellAssist to follow colonies or a region of interest over time.
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Colonies imaged in 6-well plates at 4x resolution
CellAssist improves quality, and documentation of cells
Problem:
Current tools do not collect images and data along with tools that enable users to visualize outliers. Outliers are important because they may indicate problems in quality that require investigation.
Objective:
Document and analyze images and data on cells over time to improve quality and reproducibility of cell, tissue, and suspension cultures.
CellAssist Solution:
CellAssist provides comparable data over time that allows for identification of outliers.
(In this example, upon further investigation, the customer found cases of mislabeling.)
(Statistical anomaly highlighted)
CellAssist improves quality and increases yield by using data to grade and pick colonies
Problem:
Gene editing transfection rates can be poor, so it is crucial to select monoclonal colonies for passaging.
Objective:
Accurately determine whether a colony is monoclonal by capturing a series of time lapse images with excellent registration across scans.
CellAssist Solution:
The CellAssist time-lapse imaging enables the lineage of candidate colonies to be tracked to a single starting cell.
Morphological assays do not disturb cell growth
Problem:
Differentiation of neuronal progenitor cells into glial cells was measured using fluorescence-based end point assays, which did not allow for further growth and study of the cells. An equivalent assay was needed based on imaging of live cells.
Objective:
Acquire high-resolution images that are comparable over time in order to study differentiation without dyes and/or probes that interfere with the cells and colonies.
CellAssist Solution:
The CellAssist’s high-resolution stacks of images, with highly accurate registration across scans, enabled the characterization of cell morphology without disturbing the cells and colonies.
Problem:
1.) The coating of plates can profoundly affect the survivability and growth of colonies (in this case gene edited ones starting with very small quantities).
2.) Some coatings are also significantly more expensive.
Objective:
1.) Coating Comparison: Evaluate and compare two different coatings by observing and characterizing the behavior of cells under each condition over a set period. This analysis will help determine which coating optimally supports cell health and activity.
2.) Protocol Optimization: Develop, implement, and assess new protocols tailored to these coatings. By directly comparing the results, identify the most effective protocol and coating combination that enhances experimental outcomes.
CellAssist Solution:
The CellAssist’s documentation, colony counting curves, and examination of images are used to characterize the number of colonies for each condition, and the results are collated and easily compared across conditions.