Understanding complicated processes require temporal analysis of rare biological events in live studies like cell divisions and the identification of circulating tumor cells. However, since these studies usually rely on isolated static “snapshots”, they tend to be difficult to carry out.
Rare Event Detection on Hermes Microscope
Individual cells within cell populations are not always synchronized, and cell populations are not always homogenous. Visualizing unusual occurrences thus necessitates the systematic, continuous monitoring of multi-dimensional characteristics of the system, the capture of dynamic processes, and the identification of fleeting, sometimes unexpected traits.
Automatic and highly precise identification of particular events of interest, as well as the capacity to swiftly collect and document such events at high resolution, are required for such tracking.
IDEA bio-Medical’s HCS system, WiScan® Hermes, now has a new function for spatial identification and analysis of temporal kinetics of uncommon events. The device initially scans the whole plate and takes photos utilizing low magnifications (2×–10×) in specified time intervals, owing to its rapid image acquisition capabilities, as explained in Figures 1A and B.
Based on the multi-parametric morphological traits or fluorescence properties, this first scan automatically detects items of interest, as depicted in Figure 1C.
Unique characteristics such as a fixed plate (the moving component is the objective) and multi-channel simultaneous imaging are achieved thanks to this rapid scanning capability.
In between scans, a rapid, automatic change of objectives occurs, followed by a second scan in which high magnifications (20×–60×) are recorded only on the selected objects of interest, as shown in Figure 1D, which are spotted and captured with high accuracy due to the rapid focusing scanner high positioning repeatability.
Figure 1. Time lapse rare event steps. This is a three-step process: A, B: First scan captures the entire plate and acquires images using low magnification (2×–10×) in pre-defined time intervals. This initial scan is aimed to spot objects of interest at very high speed. C: An automatic multiparametric analysis based on morphological and signal parameters for object mapping is performed at the end of each cycle. D: Second scan acquires images and movies in high magnification (20×–60×) only for objects of interest selected based on the automated analysis. Image Credit: IDEA Bio-Medical Ltd.
WiSCAN® products from IDEA Bio-Medical include Hermes, a true breakthrough in cell imaging systems, and WiSOFT® (the Athena and Minerva packages), a complex image processing algorithmic library controlled by a unique and easy software interface.
For typical complicated applications, researchers can now accomplish high content screening at high throughput rates while maintaining unsurpassed simplicity.
The contradictory demands of producing high-quality images while maintaining high throughput rates are met by employing unique, patented, and patent-pending laser-guided autofocus technologies, an accurate imaging reader, a novel light source modulation method, and fast magnification exchange technologies.
Image Credit: IDEA Bio-Medical Ltd.
About IDEA Bio-Medical Ltd.
IDEA Bio-Medical is founded in 2007 through a partnership between YEDA (the Weizmann Institute’s commercialization arm) and IDEA Machine Development (an innovation hub).
We specialize in automated imaging systems and image analysis software, offering a broad range of biological applications based on the company’s unique algorithms library. The company is developing novel image-based screening platforms for the pharmaceutical industry and medical centers, dedicated to broadening the scope of personalized medicine.
Our WiScan Hermes system incorporates the most advanced technologies currently available in the machine vision field, integrated with engineering methodologies of high reliability and quality at the level of semi-conductors and digital printing industries, which are the specialty of our mother company, IDEA Machine Development Design and Production Ltd.
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