Phasefocus Livecyte is helping researchers de-risk cell transplantation therapy, increasing the likelihood of success.

We are excited to announce that the Perry Cross Research Foundation have been able to fund the first piece of equipment to be used as part of the Cell Transplantation and Rehabilitation Human Clinical Trial – the PhaseFocus LiveCyte Microscope!

The Livecyte will support The Spinal Injury Project (SIP) at the Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ) and the Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery (GRIDD) at Griffith University where the research team provides ground-breaking and world-first research into curing paralysis.

Live cell imaging is a powerful technique for the study of cultured mammalian cells, and crucial for establishing cell identity and behaviour – essential for cell transplantation. But the exposure to light and the need to label cells with chemical markers in conventional live cell imaging techniques can have toxic effects on the cells. Therefore, characterising individual cells in preparation for transplantation without impacting their health and behaviour is a significant challenge.

The Phasefocus Livecyte uses a technique called ptychographic quantitative phase imaging. This technique generates high-contrast, detailed images of live cells using low-powered illumination instead of harsh light, and does not require chemical labelling of the cells. The Livecyte is also equipped with a fully enclosed temperature-controlled incubation unit with a controller for carbon dioxide and humidity to ensure that the cells remain stable, viable and healthy over the imaging period (days-weeks). Thus, it is much gentler on the cells than any other live cell microscopy technique.

The Livecyte will help overcome the challenge of characterising cells before transplantation without causing damage, as it allows label-free and non-invasive long-term imaging. In addition, critical attributes of the cells such as individual cell behaviour, morphology and migration capacity over time can be monitored with high specificity using the Livecyte. Cells derived from tissues are a mixture of different cell types.

Tracking individual cells will help determine the exact cell composition and heterogeneity of the cell population. The Livecyte system has automated single-cell tracking algorithms with an integrated analysis suite making it easy to measure the motion and morphology of every cell. Specific cell sub-populations can be identified, and can stratify groups of cells from a complex cell culture based on their behaviour. A unique fingerprint for each cell and a comprehensive profile of its dynamics within the entire cell population is generated.

This information will improve our understanding of how each cell behaves within the environment of the actual transplant and will be a realistic measure of cell characteristics.

Livecyte is set to become the gold standard in clinical cell transplantation therapies allowing cell preparations with a considerably increased safety profile.

For more information or to arrange a demo, contact us.

Original article source: Human Clinical Trial Equipment Purchase | PCSRF | To Cure Paralysis for All