Automating Data Capture and Image Analysis in Continuous Experiments

Why do scientists carry out continuous experiments with multiple time points, particularly in the field of neuroscience?

The brain is a complex system, whose function depends on the dynamic interplay between cells. In order to evaluate the actions and structures of these cells, it is critical for neuroscientists to monitor temporal changes to understand how the brain operates.

Single endpoint measurements simply do not offer insight into the dynamic changes and interactions of cells of the nervous system. When working with complex systems, it is imperative to use repeated measurements to gain insights into both the significant and subtle changes that can occur.

What are the greatest challenges faced by scientists conducting continuous, long-term experiments, and how can these problems affect experimental results?

To put this in context, I’ll specifically focus on human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons, which are at the forefront of research and offer great promise as in vitro cell models. In order to take advantage of these sensitive cell models, researchers need the ability to reliably sustain cultures and analyze the changes that occur as these cells mature and differentiate.

In doing so, researchers must be aware that any perturbance of the cells, from plate movement to changes in environmental control (e.g., temperature, humidity, and gas) can significantly affect the biological behavior of their cells, introducing experimental artifacts.

We must appreciate the money, time and effort that scientists are dedicating to evaluate complex disorders using iPSCs and must ensure that the information and insights that they are generating are not misleading due to artificially introduced data.

How can the technology be used to study multiple cell types, including immune cells such as microglia?

The IncuCyte system has the unique ability to analyze multiple cell types and multiple applications. The system gives the ability to study neuronal activity, as I previously mentioned, but it also allows you to evaluate, for example, phagocytic cell clearance by microglia or the chemotactic movement of microglia in real-time.

Providing a multifunctional platform with built-in analysis allows researchers to monitor and measure multiple cell behaviors kinetically, significantly aiding the understanding of functional changes with confidence.

How can scientists make the most of this technology?

Scientists should take advantage of the fact that the IncuCyte offers multiple applications to study the progressive cellular changes. Such studies are necessary to characterize new models which ultimately provide important insights into human disease.

Combining multiple techniques on a single, reproducible platform which also minimizes cell perturbance truly facilitates a deeper understanding of relevant biological changes. Our goal is to provide researchers with tools and applications that can answer their scientific questions, but also allow them to use the instrument in innovative and new ways to deliver scientific discovery.