ResourceLife Sciences
Customizing High Content Analysis for Accelerated Toxicity Screening
2 Aug 2013Predictive in vitro assays suitable for safety testing are extremely important for reducing the incidence of late-stage drug attrition. Cell-based cytotoxicity methods utilizing high content and high-throughput imaging are well-established. However, standard assays and analyses are sometimes insufficient and customized measurements may be required to fully capture some toxic effects. In this poster read about a software tool which allows easy generation of customized analysis modules that in turn enables more multiplexing and specific outputs than has been available in the past.
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MicroplatesMicroplates are multi-well plates used to increase the throughput of biological investigations. The number of wells microplates contain can range from 6 to 3243 wells, with the 96-well format being the most commonly used. Microplates can come tailored for a range of applications including cell culture, PCR, filtration, storage, non-binding surface, protein crystallization, as well as pre-coated, deep well and normal Standard microplates. Additionally, options for microplate colors include clear , black, white or black with clear bottom and white with clear bottom for absorbance microplate reader applications. Find the best microplates for your lab in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.High-Throughput ScreeningHigh-throughput screening (HTS) is an automated drug discovery technique for identification of active compounds against a compound library. Use HTS readers and integrated assay preparation / analysis workstations to screen your compounds. Identify active compounds against various HTS libraries, including membranes, proteins and peptides and HTS cell lines. Find the best high-throughput screening products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Microplate Readers / DetectorsMicroplate readers are used to automate the detection and analysis of labeled or label-free components in microplates during assays or live-cell monitoring. Microplate readers are generally distinguished by their mode of detection. Types include absorbance, luminescence, fluorescence intensity, fluorescence polarization, TRF / FRET and multimode microplate readers. Microplate readers deliver a high throughput of samples by reading multiple wells simultaneously, with the 96-well format the most commonly used. As a result, microplate readers are often used in the drug discovery, bioassays, research and pharmaceutical industries for screening applications. Microplate loading can also be automated, with robotic microplate stackers to increase throughput. Find the best microplate readers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.ADME-ToxicologyADME-toxicology (ADME-Tox) studies are used in pharmacology and pharmacokinetics to assess the activity/toxicity of drugs <i>in vivo</i> or <i>in vitro</i>. Find bioassays for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drug molecules including cytotoxicity, transporter/permeability, metabolism and activity assays as well as hepatocytes and cell lines for ADME. Find the best ADME-toxicology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Flow Cytometry / Cell CountingFlow cytometers are used to count, sort and examine multiple characteristics of cells. Other cell analysis equipment includes image cytometers, cell counters, fluorescence-activated cell sorters (FACS), magnetic-activated cell sorters (MACS), and a range of flow cytometry assay kits. Flow cytometers can reveal information on cell viability, cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle progression, as well as identify cell populations and intracellular or cell-surface molecules. Additionally, some flow cytometers, known as FACS, have an additional sorting function after analysis. Cell counters and image cytometers count live and dead cell populations and can also conduct cell proliferation assays. Find the best flow cytometers, cell counters and cell sorters in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Cell-Based AssaysCell-based assays are used to monitor the presence, quantity and activities of a desired cellular analyte including drug molecules or biomarkers. This can reveal information on cell health (apoptosis, cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation assays), cell metabolism, cell migration and cell signaling mechanisms. Find the best cell-based assay products, kits and equipment with our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receiving pricing direct from manufacturers.High-Content ScreeningHigh-content screening (HCS), also known as high-content analysis (HCA), is a high-throughput technique used in drug discovery to identify substances that alter the phenotype of cells. HCS uses fluorescent microscopic imaging and automated image analysis to investigate cellular events such as apoptosis, cell viability, GPCR activation, oxide production, neurite outgrowth, and cell signaling. Find the best fluorescent labeling reagents, cellular assays, and high-content imaging systems in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.High ThroughputHigh throughput experiments allow the simultaneous processing of several samples. This parallelization reduces the cost per experiment and increases reproducibility and output volume of data.High Content ImagingHigh content imaging is a method combining two or more fluorescent microscopy experiments to identify substances that alter a cell’s phenotype in a desired manner. The process is adapted to multi-well plates and both the image acquisition and analysis are automated.Live Cell ImagingLive cell imaging is the study of living cells using microscopes and high-content imaging systems. This technique provides in-depth insight into fast and complex biological processes, by allowing dynamic imaging of living cells instead of acquiring an individual image at a single point in time.Cell ImagingCell imaging can be achieved using a number of techniques including confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and light sheet microscopy.HepatotoxicityDrug TestingIt is essential to test the efficacy and toxicity of drugs at every stage of their development to ensure that a pharmaceutical product is fit for purpose and safe for use before reaching the stage of mass production and distribution.