High-content imaging (HCI), also known as high-content screening (HCS), combines high-throughput automated imaging and analysis. It uses automated microscopy, fluorescence detection, and multi-parameter algorithms to visualize and image cellular events. High-content imaging was originally developed as a complementary technology to traditional biochemical high-throughput screening (HTS) in drug discovery, but with the continuous development and improvement of high-content imaging systems, it has been widely used in the field of life sciences.

Figure 1．The role of HCS technology in the transformation of biology into a large-scale, information-based science (Zanella, et al., 2010).

High-content imaging is a powerful tool for drug discovery. In addition to drug discovery, it can also be used to study cell morphology, cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, drug safety, and toxicity. CD BioSciences relies on high-throughput imaging technology, image analysis algorithm design and rich experience in biology to describe the cell physiology in complex cell systems and provide predictive and translatable data. If you have any needs, please feel free to contact us.

Available HCS Instrumentation

Company	Brand name	Light source	Kinetic HCS	Opticsa
Amnis	ImageStream	Laser/Arc lamp	﹣	WF
BD Biosciences	BD Pathway 855	Arc lamp	+	WF/CF
BD Biosciences	BD Pathway 435	Arc lamp	﹣	WF/CF
GE Healthcare	IN Cell Analyzer 2000	Arc lamp	+	WF
Intelligent Imaging Innovations	3i Marianas	Arc lamp	+(optional)	WF
Leica Microsystems	TCS SP5	Laser	+ (optional)	CF
Molecular Devices	ImageXpressULTRA	Laser	﹣	CF
Molecular Devices	ImageXpressMICRO	Arc lamp	+ (optional)	WF
Olympus	Scan^R	Arc lamp	+ (optional)	WF
Perkin Elmer	Opera	Laser	+	CF
Perkin Elmer	Operetta	Arc lamp	﹣	WF/CF
Thermo Scientific	Cellomics ArrayScan VTI	Arc lamp	+	WF/CF
Thermo Scientific	CellWoRx	Arc lamp	﹣	WF
TTP LabTech	Acumen eX3	Laser	﹣	WF

^a Abbreviations: CF, confocal microscope; WF, wide field.

Available HCS Informatics Tools

Application	Software	Source
Image processinga	BioImageXD	Open source
	Cellenger	Definiens
	CellProfiler	Open source
	dcilabs	DCILabs
	ImageJ	Open source
	Kalaimoscope	Transinsight
	Matlab	MathWorks
Database platforms	MySQL	Open source
	Oracle	Oracle
	PostgreSQL	Open source
Databases	ActivityBase	IDBS
	OME/OMERO	Open source
	OpenBis	Open source
Visualization	Dotmatics	dotmatics
	OmniViz	BioWisdom
	Spotfire	TIBCO
Workflow systems	HCDC	Open source
	KNIME	Open source
	Pipeline Pilot	Accelrys
	Screener	Genedata

^a Image analysis software which is integrated into commercial HCS platforms, such as Acapella (PerkinElmer), Attovision (BD Biosciences), IN Cell Investigator (GE Healthcare), and MetaXpress (Molecular Devices), is not listed here.

Application of High Content Imaging

1. Zanella, Fabian, James B. Lorens, and Wolfgang Link. "High content screening: seeing is believing." Trends in biotechnology 28.5 (2010): 237-245.
2. Buchser, William, et al. "Assay development guidelines for image-based high content screening, high content analysis and high content imaging." Assay guidance manual [Internet] (2014).

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Please note: Our services can only be used for research purposes. Do not use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures!