SpectraMax i3x Multi-Mode Microplate Reader with MiniMax Imaging Cytometer

Modern cell biology requires a wide variety of applications to keep up with the numerous directions of research. Detection technologies ranging from fluorescence to cellular imaging have become common in today’s laboratories. In this application eBook from Molecular Devices, explore the SpectraMax® i3x and iD3/iD5 Multi-Mode Microplate Readers which measure the activity of G-protein coupled receptors, reactive oxygen species, and cytokines, and even enable analysis of spectral signature of nanoparticles. With onboard injectors, Western blot detection, image analysis, and preconfigured SoftMax® Pro Software protocols, they open new doors from protein-protein interaction to cell cycle analysis in spheroids.

Spheroids are small three-dimensional (3D) cellular microenvironments grown using a variety of specialized culture methods such as low-adhesion microplates. FUCCI (fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell-cycle indicator) spheroids have been developed to study cancer cell cycle progression as they allow the identification of cells in various phases of the cell cycle.

In this application note, Molecular Devices demonstrate how the MiniMax cytometer can easily acquire and analyze images of FUCCI spheroids.

In this application note, Molecular Devices® demonstrates what you can do with an imaging cytometer that enables rapid imaging and cell analysis, giving you a better view of cell proliferation, marker expression, and cytotoxicity.

Two-dimensional (2D) cell culture has been used for over a century to investigate a wide range of cellular processes. However, more recent studies have shown that responses in 2D systems can differ significantly from those seen in vivo (Duval et al., 2017). A variety of methods for transforming 2D cultures into 3D spheroids have been devised, but many of these require a long time to form spheroids that can be difficult to handle.

In this eBook, Molecular Devices explains how to better explore cell pathways through multiple techniques (including cell imaging, cell-based viability and proliferation assays, western blots, DNA quantitation and more) and illustrates how data for several related cellular parameters can be collected using a single instrument, the SpectraMax i3x Multi-Mode detection platform.

Difficult-to-kill bacteria have become a problem in hospital-acquired infections. Identifying compounds which kill these bacteria is of interest to many pharmaceutical companies. Developing and optimizing assays to screen for the efficacy of these compounds is a challenge faced by many microbiologists.

To survive, cells require fuel in the form of ATP to carry out most essential bioprocesses. This fuel is generated through glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration. While both produce ATP, glycolysis can function in the absence of oxygen, whereas mitochondria require oxygen for the final step in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). These pathways dynamically shift to meet energy demands of the cells while adapting to environmental stresses, substrate availability, and hypoxia. Generally, measurements of changes give more information about metabolic responses than a single point measurement (e.g. ATP endpoint). Perturbed respiration is a sensitive indicator of mitochondrial dysfunction following drug toxicity. Aberrant mitochondrial function has been implicated in a growing spectrum of diseases, from neurodegeneration to cancer.

Stem cell-derived human cardiomyocytes have phenotypic characteristics and electrophysiological profiles similar to those of native human cardiac cells. Cardiomyocytes in culture are able to form a beating syncytium, which behaves similarly to native cardiomyocytes. Oscillation of intracellular calcium levels occurring with synchronized contractions of the cells can be monitored using a calciumsensitive dye, and treatment-induced changes in the pattern of oscillation can be monitored via changes in fluorescent signal over time.

In this study, Molecular Devices demonstrate how the CatchPoint® cAMP Fluorescent Assay Kit combined with the SpectraMax® i3 MultiMode Detection Platform can be used to monitor the response of HEK293 cells to forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase.

The assessment of cardiotoxicity is important in the early stages of drug discovery to enable elimination of potentially toxic compounds from further development. This is critical to reduce the inefficiencies and high costs associated with compounds that fail during cardiac safety assessment. There is a growing need for highly predictive in vitro cardiotoxicity assays that use biologically relevant cell-based models and are
suitable for high-throughput screening.

In this webinar, Dr. Caroline Cardonnel, Senior European Application Scientist at Molecular Devices, will outline the key questions to consider before buying a microplate reader, and will provide expert insight on how to select the best technologies for your application workflow.

Key learning objectives

• Learn what features to look for when choosing a microplate reader
• Explore example applications and case studies
• Discover the benefits of combining microplate readers with automated imaging systems to improve lab efficiency and get results faster

Who should attend?

• Academia, Biotech, Pharma, CROs/CDMOs
• Laboratory managers, Scientists, Scientific Staff Members, Facility Managers, Researchers, and Technicians

Certificate of attendance
All webinar participants can request a certificate of attendance, including a learning outcomes summary, for continuing education purposes.

Optimize your 3D assay and make your next breakthrough in cellular imaging - with intelligent, innovative imaging solutions.

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