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Automated live cell screening system based on a 24-well-microplate with integrated micro fluidics

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Abstract

In research, pharmacologic drug-screening and medical diagnostics, the trend towards the utilization of functional assays using living cells is persisting. Research groups working with living cells are confronted with the problem, that common endpoint measurement methods are not able to map dynamic changes. With consideration of time as a further dimension, the dynamic and networked molecular processes of cells in culture can be monitored. These processes can be investigated by measuring several extracellular parameters. This paper describes a high-content system that provides real-time monitoring data of cell parameters (metabolic and morphological alterations), e.g., upon treatment with drug compounds. Accessible are acidification rates, the oxygen consumption and changes in adhesion forces within 24 cell cultures in parallel. Addressing the rising interest in biomedical and pharmacological high-content screening assays, a concept has been developed, which integrates multi-parametric sensor readout, automated imaging and probe handling into a single embedded platform. A life-maintenance system keeps important environmental parameters (gas, humidity, sterility, temperature) constant.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Heraeus Sensor Technology GmbH in Kleinostheim, Thermo Electron Corporation in Oberschleiβheim, Rawe Electronic GmbH in Weiler i. Allg., PreSens GmbH in Regenburg, TILL Photonics GmbH and the BioImaging Centre in Gräfelfing as well as Microcoat Biotechnology GmbH in Bernried for their cooperation.

We are grateful to the Bavarian Research Foundation (BFS), The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the Heinz Nixdorf Foundation and the Foundation of Industrial Research of their financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Heinz Nixdorf-Chair for Medical Electronics at the Technical University of Munich, Theresienstr. 90, Gebäude N3, 80333, Munich, Germany

    V. Lob, M. Brischwein & B. Wolf

  2. BioImaging Centre, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    T. Geisler & R. Uhl

  3. TILL Photonics GmbH, Graefelfing, Germany

    R. Uhl

  4. Steinbeiszentrum Lab-on-Chip-Systeme, Bernried, Germany

    B. Wolf

Authors
  1. V. Lob
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  2. T. Geisler
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  3. M. Brischwein
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  4. R. Uhl
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  5. B. Wolf
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. Wolf.

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Lob, V., Geisler, T., Brischwein, M. et al. Automated live cell screening system based on a 24-well-microplate with integrated micro fluidics. Med Bio Eng Comput 45, 1023–1028 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-007-0260-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-007-0260-4

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