High content imaging is a powerful tool in the drug discovery process, allowing simultaneous image acquisition with concurrent data analysis. It grants an insight into how compounds interact with targets at the subcellular level within cell-based, disease-relevant assays.
Our scientists at Charnwood Discovery are experienced in developing and optimizing image-based screening assays enabling a greater understanding of your target by maximizing data capture in an automated manner.
Our scientists have expertise working with a wide range of cell types, from immortalized cell lines to stem cells. We are experienced in working with cell cultures grown in a standard 2D monolayer but have also developed the skills to grow cells in a 3D format to provide multi-dimensional and multi-parametric screening.
We can optimize and develop assays based upon your requirements and can work within a 96, 384 or 1536 format depending upon your needs.
Figure 1: HT1080 cells expressing nuclear RFP grown on a 200 µm scaffold and stained with Phalloidin 488. Samples imaged on the ImageXpress® Confocal HT.ai High-Content Imaging System using a 40X water immersion objective and HR pinhole spinning disk.
Figure 2: Spheroid HT1080 cells expressing nuclear RFP, stained with Phalloidin 488. Samples imaged on the ImageXpress® Confocal HT.ai High-Content Imaging System using a 40X water immersion objective and 42 µm pinhole spinning disk.
High Content Imaging Instrumentation
Our scientists have access to a suite of imaging instruments and can perform experiments in both a live and fixed cell format.
Live-cell imaging unlocks the ability to measure phenotypic changes kinetically, while high content imaging visualizes cell behaviors at higher resolution.
This gives us the flexibility to adapt and optimize our screening methods to provide informative and relevant data on your target of interest.
Our current portfolio of instrumentation includes:
- CellInsight CX5 from Thermo Fisher Scientific
- ImageXpress Confocal HT.ai from Molecular Devices
- IncuCyte SX5 from Sartorius
High Content Imaging Instrumentation
Our scientists at Charnwood Discovery have access to a suite of imagers which allow us to capture high content imaging in both a widefield and confocal manner. This gives us the flexibility to design and optimize high-throughput screening assays without compromising resolution and sensitivity.
Our current portfolio of high content imagers include:
The CellInsight CX5 from Thermo Scientific is a widefield imaging system which offers 5-channels for fluorescent imaging with an additional channel for white-light brightfield capture.
All fluorescent channels can be multiplexed and analysed to give multiple layers of information from one given image. Our system offers 4X, 10X and 20X objectives and can work with 96-, 384-, 1536 well plates. Our scientists can offer custom algorithm generation, or can utilize standard, in-built algorithms to analyse and quantify your assay.
In addition, our scientists also have access to the ImageXpress® Confocal HT.ai High-Content Imaging System which utilizes a seven-channel laser light with eight imaging channels.
The imager enables multiple imaging modes which include widefield and confocal, enabling image capture flexibility. This permits us to run highly multiplexed assays to maximize output giving a more informative yet high-throughput solution to your assay. We have access to both air and water immersion objectives, enabling improved image resolution and deeper penetration into thicker samples.
Example Assays
We have a range of experience across Charnwood Discovery in assays including but not limited to:
- Cell cycle
- Cell Health
- Cell mobility
- Colocalization
- Cytotoxicity
- Compartmental analysis
- Morphology
- Neuronal profiling
- Spot detector
- DNA damage
- Protein translocation
- Autophagy
