Sygnature Discovery > Drug Discovery > Bioscience > Cellular Assays > High Content Imaging and 3D Cultures

High Content Imaging and 3D Cultures

Our state-of-the-art ImageXpress® Micro Confocal (IXM-C) High-Content Imaging platform provides multi-dimensional, High-throughput Screening solutions to facilitate compound profiling, MOA analysis and; through the use of highly relevant in vitro models, to support interrogation of compound safety.

High Content Imaging

The IXM-C allows our scientists to capture high-quality images with a wide range of objective lenses, and the possibility to multiplex up to 5 wavelengths together with transmitted light. The imaging mode options of widefield and confocal provide the sensitivity and resolution required for a given assay. Combined with MetaXpress® High-Content Power Core Image Acquisition and Analysis Software, the ImageXpress® Micro Confocal system provides a complete multi-dimensional, high-throughput screening solution.

High Content 3D Cultures

3D cultures more closely resemble the in vivo tissue environment due to the promotion of cell-cell contacts, re-establishment of cell polarity and the production of extracellular matrices. At Sygnature Discovery we offer expertise in the high content multi-parametric imaging/screening of 3D cell cultures using the IXM-C platform for the evaluation of compound dependent effects on a number of clinically relevant parameters.

A range of assay formats are available and are applicable to multiple phases of the drug discovery process, including target identification, hit validation and candidate drug profiling.

Current assays available include:

  • Angiogenesis
  • Neurite dynamics
  • Cell invasion & migration
  • 3D Spheroid Formation & growth in ultra-low attachment plates
  • Apoptosis and Cytotoxicity
  • Proliferation
  • Fibrosis Modelling
  • Receptor internalisation
  • Cell cycle analysis
  • Rapid and reproducible quantitative data output for evaluation of compound effects on cell health and target parameters
  • A number of established endpoint markers or utilise our knowledge to select suitable markers for your chosen target

Examples include:

Mitochondrial Depolarisation:

Neurite Dynamics:

Other Related Services

Cell Co-Culture Assay Systems

Assay formats that culture two or more cell types together can be used to provide a more accurate model of the target tissue environmental context. Our scientists are proficient at generating complex in vitro co-culture assays for your particular target area, including those for vascular branching angiogenesis assays, and phagocytotic assays.

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Cell Population Analysis

We are able to provide heterogeneous cell population analysis through our capabilities in flow cytometry and high-content imaging, affording you the ability to assess cell cycle stages and the various biomarkers in response to your target treatment.

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Cell Viability and Proliferation

Cell health in response to drug treatment is an important factor in any drug discovery project. Our scientists routinely use assays to profile the cytostatic or cytotoxic nature of compounds using assays to detect alterations in key biomarkers involved in these processes such as ATP, caspases or DNA replication, as well as examining cell cycle progression and mitochondrial integrity.

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Chemotaxis

The stimulus-induced migration of cells is co-ordinated tightly by complex signalling networks, and development of drugs to target these pathways are important in many therapeutic areas including tumour metastasis and wound healing. We have established chemotactic assays to quantify migrated cells in response to drug treatments.

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Fibrosis Assays

Fibrosis is an abnormal accumulation of excess extracellular matrix (ECM) components around damaged tissue and can cause excessive scarring, changes in tissue structure leading to organ disease and failure. Sygnature Discovery has developed in vitro organ-specific fibrosis models using confocal microscopy, allowing high-throughput screening of potential anti-fibrotic candidates.

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Intracellular Signalling

Intracellular signal cascades are a vital network governing cell function, differentiation, and survival. We are able to offer a varied portfolio of second messenger, protein-protein interactions (PPIs), receptor internalisation, and ion channel focussed assays to elucidate the impact that your target has upon cellular signalling networks.

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Phenotypic Screening

Phenotypic screens are run in many cells types and our bioscientists are expert in developing assays in primary or disease relevant primary cells in addition to immortalised lines.

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Protein Expression

Analysing the expression of genes and their protein products are a vital means to understand cell functionality in response to drug exposure. Our scientists have expertise in both quantitative PCR assays and detection of analytes in single (e.g. western blot) and multiplex (e.g. AlphaLISA, Luminex and Flow Cytometry) format to evaluate the effects of your target on various signalling and expression pathways.

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