Go Beyond Traditional Microscopy: How To Use Label-Free Techniques for Live Cell Imaging

Live Cell Imaging is a major area of growth in the microscopy world as researchers search for techniques to elucidate further mysteries of the human body. Traditional microscopy systems often fail to automatically identify individual cells due to lack of contrast and while labelled techniques can produce high contrast images, they ultimately perturb the cells and can be phototoxic. This can ultimately limit the type of cell that can be used and the duration that they can be imaged before measurement-induced cell behaviour changes emerge.

Given these challenges, the search for a panacea can be futile as an ever-increasing number of technologies refine previous versions, all of which have a valid use and solve a question.

The process of defining the desired outcome of an experiment can be clouded by the latest and greatest shiny new toy that is a ‘must have’ for any self-respecting imaging facility. Is it 2D or 3D? Can we do spheroids? What about angiogenesis, Matrigel, bespoke slides, polylysine, fibronectin, or even hydrogel matrices? Do I need super-res, and what about a new confocal? Do we all still fluoresce – how many Photons?

Clearly, it’s a minefield of instrumentation – but what about applications of your science?

We’re in a position to discuss some interesting solutions to application needs.

As instrument manufacturers increase the production of technology, generally they create efficiencies in manufacturing and the economies of scale kick in. As a result, one usually experiences a price drop in subsequent iterations of the model, and additional R&D costs are absorbed by higher sales volumes. This might be a common occurrence, but is not always the case…

I have noted a rise in the cost of a relatively simple technology employing basic fluorescence as its method of choice to perform live cell imaging inside an incubator. I doubt this rise is a result of additional functionality due to component pricing – not all systems need to be action packed with all capabilities to suit a broad range of users. People have also communicated to me their abhorrence that such an expensive system be locked away into individual researchers’ incubator. Clearly, there are always exceptions to the rule – and at times the application may warrant it. I think we have found a solid alternative at a fraction of the price with an impressive imaging system to boot.

Logos Biosystems in Seoul, South Korea, have developed the Celena-S and Celena-X – an on the bench High Content Imaging system. It is a nice little system, being fully automated, multi-channel, and having Multi-Well and Multi-position analysis – All on your bench – with a stage top incubator! The tech is more than sufficient for the applications it is used for, and the images are exceptional with lightning fast laser autofocus.
What I like the most about the Celena – X is the speed and quality of the images, particularly for this price. I guess the proof is in the pudding with this one – Contact us for a demo today!