High Content Imaging
Perkin Elmer OPERAConfocal Imaging system
Discovery Biology houses two OPERATM HTS Confocal Imaging systems. One is utilised as a stand-alone system, primarily in early assay development and lower-throughput applications, while the second Opera is linked to a Twister robot for automation of up to 100 plates per day. Both systems have four excitation lasers, eight emission filters, 2 detection dichroic and 3 primary dichroic mirrors. They have three CCD cameras which allow for simultaneous image acquisition for multiple fluorescent channels. 3 water immersion objectives (20, 40 and 60 x magnification) and a single 20 x magnification air objective allow for acquisition of high-quality, confocal, fluorescent images. Multiple images per well and imaging in the Z-dimension are possible, as well as temperature, CO2 and humidity control with the additional climate control module.
Using the PE image analysis software (Acapella), we are able to acquire images and simultaneously apply mathematical scripts for analysis during a high-throughput screen. The Acapella output is converted to a format which is compatible with our in house database software, for determination of active compounds within the assay. As well as basic biological research, Discovery Biology routinely uses the OPERA to perform a single image acquisition assay, during which 350 plates are assayed over a three day period.
GE InCell Analyser 1000
The IN Cell Analyzer 1000 is a bench-top plate imager, utilized by Discovery Biology for basic research and assay development. Comprising of a microscope, xenon lamp-based illumination and high-resolution CCD camera, the InCell 1000 is able to rapidly take images at 10x, 20x and 60x magnification. It is able to image from any plate format from 6- to 384-wells per plate. Using a custom holder, microscope slides can also be imaged, a feature that provides an efficient link when converting traditional microscope-based assays into a higher throughput format. The broad spectrum of the xenon lamp allows fluorescent confocal-like imaging from UV to far red in the visible spectrum, whilst also being able to obtain non-fluorescent bright field and differential interference contrast images. Multiple images per well can be obtained for up to 3 fluorescent wavelengths simultaneously, which can also be combined with a bright field reference image. Images can also be obtained in the Z-dimension, allowing for 3D cellular reconstructions, which is a current focus of the Discovery Biology group.
