TTP Labtech launches triple laser cytometer
transfer from development to screening, combining data collection
from whole well scanning with fast read times making it suitable
for industry and academia.
The product is the second generation of high content screening systems following its predecessor, the Acumen Explorer HCS platform technology.
TTP Labtech's Acumen eX3 microplate cytometer relies on three lasers (405, 488 and 633 nm) that offers a wavelength range for excitation that is similar to that of white light source instrumentation.
The wavelength range increases the variety of fluorescent reagents compatible with the system.
The inclusion of these new features ensures that the Acumen eX3 will simplify assay transfer from development to screening laboratories by delivering the object recognition of CCD Imagers combined with the reads of bulk fluorescence readers.
Scanning up to 64 whole wells at a time, the Acumen range of laser-scanning fluorescence microplate cytometers can perform cytometric analyses at throughputs of up to 200 plates - or 300,000 data points (1536 plates) - per day.
"The Acumen Explorer is routinely relied on for high content screening in industry and academia because of its ability to combine data collection from whole well scanning with fast read times," said Wayne Bowen, TTP LabTech's CSO.
"The Acumen eX3 offers researchers the ability to select the optimum laser combination required to excite the fluorescent probes being used. Since nuclear staining is not required to locate the cells, all probes may be used for reporting biological responses," added Bowen.
The advantage is that, with simultaneous four-colour detection, the Acumen eX3 can overcome the limits of current multicolour, multiplexed assay protocols, giving an assurance of future proofing.
Also included is the Acumen eX3's software, which gives the flexibility of exporting TIFF images which closely match those captured using a 20x microscope objective for subsequent analysis by third party image analysis software.
This facilitates the seamless transfer from assay development on microscope-based CCD Imagers to assay screening on the Acumen eX3 with minimal changes to experimental protocols. Flexibility is further assured since the Acumen eX3's functionality can be built-up over time, starting with one laser and retrospectively adding additional lasers, depending on user or assay requirements.
By combining the power of rapid, whole well data collection with the ability to classify objects within cells, or sub-cellular events, the Acumen eX3 represents a breakthrough for microplate cytometers in the assay development-to-screening process.
The Acumen eX3 microplate cytometer makes its debut at SBS 2006.
