High Content Imaging

High Content Imaging

High-content imaging (HCI), also known as high-content screening (HCS), combines high-throughput automated imaging and analysis. It uses automated microscopy, fluorescence detection, and multi-parameter algorithms to visualize and image cellular events. High-content imaging was originally developed as a complementary technology to traditional biochemical high-throughput screening (HTS) in drug discovery, but with the continuous development and improvement of high-content imaging systems, it has been widely used in the field of life sciences.

The role of HCS technology in the transformation of biology into a large-scale, information-based scienceFigure 1.The role of HCS technology in the transformation of biology into a large-scale, information-based science (Zanella, et al., 2010).

High-content imaging is a powerful tool for drug discovery. In addition to drug discovery, it can also be used to study cell morphology, cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, drug safety, and toxicity. CD BioSciences relies on high-throughput imaging technology, image analysis algorithm design and rich experience in biology to describe the cell physiology in complex cell systems and provide predictive and translatable data. If you have any needs, please feel free to contact us.

Available HCS Instrumentation

Company Brand name Light source Kinetic HCS Opticsa
Amnis ImageStream Laser/Arc lamp WF
BD Biosciences BD Pathway 855 Arc lamp + WF/CF
BD Biosciences BD Pathway 435 Arc lamp WF/CF
GE Healthcare IN Cell Analyzer 2000 Arc lamp + WF
Intelligent Imaging Innovations 3i Marianas Arc lamp +(optional) WF
Leica Microsystems TCS SP5 Laser + (optional) CF
Molecular Devices ImageXpressULTRA Laser CF
Molecular Devices ImageXpressMICRO Arc lamp + (optional) WF
Olympus Scan^R Arc lamp + (optional) WF
Perkin Elmer Opera Laser + CF
Perkin Elmer Operetta Arc lamp WF/CF
Thermo Scientific Cellomics ArrayScan VTI Arc lamp + WF/CF
Thermo Scientific CellWoRx Arc lamp WF
TTP LabTech Acumen eX3 Laser WF

a Abbreviations: CF, confocal microscope; WF, wide field.

Available HCS Informatics Tools

Application Software Source
Image processinga BioImageXD Open source
Cellenger Definiens
CellProfiler Open source
dcilabs DCILabs
ImageJ Open source
Kalaimoscope Transinsight
Matlab MathWorks
Database platforms MySQL Open source
Oracle Oracle
PostgreSQL Open source
Databases ActivityBase IDBS
OME/OMERO Open source
OpenBis Open source
Visualization Dotmatics dotmatics
OmniViz BioWisdom
Spotfire TIBCO
Workflow systems HCDC Open source
KNIME Open source
Pipeline Pilot Accelrys
Screener Genedata

a Image analysis software which is integrated into commercial HCS platforms, such as Acapella (PerkinElmer), Attovision (BD Biosciences), IN Cell Investigator (GE Healthcare), and MetaXpress (Molecular Devices), is not listed here.

Application of High Content Imaging

Apoptosis
Cell motility and migration
Marker expression
Receptor internalization and degradation
Translocation of transcription factors

Autophagy and protein aggregation
Epigenetic modifications
Protein acetylation and phosphorylation
Subcellular localization
Personal custom imaging assays

References
  1. Zanella, Fabian, James B. Lorens, and Wolfgang Link. "High content screening: seeing is believing." Trends in biotechnology 28.5 (2010): 237-245.
  2. Buchser, William, et al. "Assay development guidelines for image-based high content screening, high content analysis and high content imaging." Assay guidance manual [Internet] (2014).

*If your organization requires the signing of a confidentiality agreement, please contact us by email.

Please note: Our services can only be used for research purposes. Do not use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures!

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