Agilent BioTek BioSpa 8 Automated Incubator

Evasion of cell death is a hallmark of cancer cells that allows them to overcome endogenous barriers to cancer development, as well as to resist treatment. Understanding how cancer cells are able to evade cell death promises to unlock new avenues to treat human cancer. In this application note, Agilent presents a fully automated image-based assay to monitor both the proliferation and cell death of a fibrosarcoma cancer cell line in response to multiple antineoplastic drugs in a high-throughput format.

The establishment of in vitro models that mimic tumor invasion as part of the metastatic process is a critical part of oncology research. The need to incorporate multiple cell types, long-term kinetic analysis, methods to allow 3D invasion into the surrounding matrix, and appropriate detection and analysis, has made it difficult to create new models. In this application note, learn more about the procedure that meets these needs through the inclusion of advanced imaging capabilities allowing for the capture of multiple images throughout a range of z-heights, using brightfield and fluorescence channels in a kinetic fashion.

Establishment of in vitro models that mimic tumor invasion as part of the metastatic process, are a critical part of oncology research. The need to incorporate multiple cell types, long-term kinetic analysis, methods to allow 3D invasion into the surrounding matrix, and appropriate detection and analysis, has made it difficult to create new models. The procedure described here meets these needs through inclusion of advanced imaging capabilities allowing for capture of multiple images throughout a range of z-heights, using brightfield and fluorescence channels in a kinetic fashion. Final processed images, following stitching and z-projection, enable accurate cellular analysis to discern the invasive capabilities of 3D cellular structures over time.

In this application note, BioTek demonstrates the use of a novel, automated tool to create consistent and reproducible scratch wounds in cell monolayers formed on the bottom of a microplate well. This application note highlights the use of a single cancer cell model as well as a co-culture of fibroblasts and cancer cells; each plated in collagen-coated microplate wells to more closely simulate in vivo microenvironments and facilitate cell migration.

In this application note, BioTek combines long-term kinetic label-free cell counting and fluorescent imaging to monitor cancer cell responses over several days in a high-throughput 384-well image-based assay. This application note describes how the Cytation™ 5 Cell Imaging Multi-Mode Reader with a wide field of view camera enables the capture of an entire 384-well in a single image.

Metastasis is the main cause of death in cancer patients and one of the most complex biological processes in human diseases. The development of therapies designed to forestall the metastatic activity of tumors has been met with multiple challenges. In this poster, BioTek demonstrate a combined procedure for the generation of 3D spheroidal tumoroid structures, creation of a suitable invasion matrix, automated kinetic image-based monitoring of tumor invasion, and cellular analysis of captured z-stacked images.

Characterizing cell proliferation is a crucial aspect of biological research and therapeutic drug development. Most current cell proliferation assays rely on indirect biochemical metrics that are limited by artifacts or imaging-based end point measures. In this application note, BioTek describes a continuous live-cell assay for determining cell proliferation profiles using the BioSpa™ 8 Automated Incubator and Cytation™ 5 Cell Imaging Multi-Mode Reader with the High Contrast Brightfield kit. This fully automated method enables accurate quantitative and phenotypic long-term analysis of cell growth using label-free direct cell counting.

In this poster, BioTek demonstrates an automated method to monitor and measure CTL cell mediated cytotoxicity kinetically using digital widefield microscopy.

In this application note, BioTek outlines phenotypic and quantitative assessments of 2D and 3D target cell necrotic induction made using the Cytation™ 5 Cell Imaging Multi-Mode Reader. BioTek also illustrates how the BioSpa™ System allows for walk-away automation of a 7-day kinetic cytotoxicity assay.

The wound healing or "scratch" assay is one of the most highly used in vitro methods to monitor and quantify collective cell migration. The current standard involves manual wound creation, which yields low reproducibility between wounds, high variability within generated data, and possible false conclusions regarding test molecules. Using an automated wound creation tool, in addition to kinetic image capture and analysis, repeatable wounds and robust and repeatable results are easily attained.

Discover how the BioSpa system from BioTek integrates automated incubation with multi-mode cell imaging to fully automate live-cell imaging and analysis. In this video, we introduce the new OnDemand software feature that allows multiple users to run individual applications on the system, without interrupting operations, facilitating increased experimental throughout with minimal hands-on time.

The Scientists' Choice Award for Best Drug Discovery & Development Article was awarded to an interview with Dr Kirk McManus, Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics at the University of Manitoba and Senior Scientist within the Research Institute in Oncology at CancerCare Manitoba. Watch this video to see Peter Banks, Ph.D, Scientific Director, BioTek Instruments, Inc., accept an award recognizing the use of the company's technology in research by Dr McManus' laboratory.

An advanced intrument workflow from BioTek Instruments - including the BioSpa 8 and Cytation - is being utilized in the biochemistry and medical genetics department at the University of Manitoba. Learn how the use of this workflow has streamlined the team's cancer cell studies; helping them to identify chromosome instability genes linked with colorectal cancer pathology.

Watch this video to discover how BioTek Instruments, Inc. could enhance your cell imaging workflow. Learn how the Cytation™ 5 Cell Imaging Multi-Mode Reader, combined with Gen™ 5 Data Collection & Analysis Software and the BioSpa™ 8 Automated Incubator facilitate live cell imaging automation, with versatile assay detection, optional imaging modes and environmental controls for long-term imaging.

The automation platforms from Agilent Technologies deliver powerful solutions to meet customers needs

Protect long-term 3D cell-based assays for toxicology, oncology, disease modeling and more

This combination of microscopes and multi-mode reading enables applications that would typically require multiple instruments

Dr Kirk McManus describes how 3D cell culture is advancing his cancer research

Featured products will include the new BioSpa™ 8, Cytation™ 5 and Synergy™ Neo2