xCELLigence Cell Analysis System from Roche to be used by Bayer Schering Pharma AG

The xCELLigence System for Realtime non-labeled cell analysis from Roche Applied Science will be used by Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Berlin, Germany as one of the first users of the system. The xCELLigence System is designed for a multitude of applications spanning from short term kinetic analysis, for example for measuring effects on G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), to assays for cell proliferation and cytotoxicity.

“We expect Pharma research to be one of the main application areas of the xCELLigence system. The design of the electronic sensor, innovative techniques to collect and assess data and optimised instrumentation make the system a unique platform for cell-based assays,” comments Manfred Baier, Head of Roche Applied Science.

Measurement with the xCELLigence is performed label free and allows a continous analysis of effects and their kinetics – the system needs less than 15 seconds to analyze a 96 well E Plate. The heart of the technique is a micro-electronic biosensor which is built into each well of the standard 16 or 96 well E Plate microtiter plates. A cell which has contact with the sensor changes the electrical impedance between the microelectrodes. Each change in the cell’s status – for example, changes in cell adhesion, cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, cell – cell interactions and morphological changes – leads to changes in the impedance measurements and can therefore be easily and quickly detected in real time. Labelling of the cells, which can induce non-physiological changes in the cells, is not necessary. For more information on the technology, please visit the website.