Multiplexing Phenotype and Function for More Biologically Relevant Insights - 4

More Data... More Insight... in a Single Well
Meeting High Throughput and High Content Challenges
Mary Ann Labant

rug developers face intense competitive pressure to be the first to bring
unique compounds to market. Preclinical target identification and validation as well as lead discovery, optimization, and validation time frames are
being compressed. To speed up the process, high-throughput and high-content
screening technologies are often utilized to perform rapid, multi-parametric
analysis to generate more relevant data upfront about mechanism of action, and
toxicities or other potential problems.
Traditional cell analysis platforms or dedicated single or multiplex assay systems
are generally slow, offer limited analytic capabilities, and may mandate the use
of multiple platforms for comprehensive data production. For example, flow
cytometry has been used for decades to evaluate and measure individual cells
and particles in solution but, until recently, was not amenable to high-throughput
screening assays. Conventional flow cytometers are not built for easy multiplexing
and sample miniaturization.
According to John ORourke, Ph.D., head of product development, cell analytics,
Sartorius, to resolve high-throughput and high-content challenges, the Intellicyt®
iQue Screener PLUS couples the use of a flow cytometry engine, a powerful tool for
high-content data generation at the individual cell and particle level, with a patented
technology that enables the speed necessary for high-throughput screening.
The system combines a patented rapid microplate sampling method, which enables
the ability to simultaneously measure cells and their secreted proteins in the same
assay well from volumes as small as a single microliter. To facilitate rapid data
handling, the integrated ForeCyt software contains comprehensive analysis and visualization tools, and compiles plate-level, instead of well-level, files, says Dr. ORourke.
All data are collected and displayed in real time; the visualization tools quickly
generate heat maps, IC50 or EC50 curves, and other metrics without the need
to export into third-party applications. For accelerated hit identification, profile
4

| January, 2019

"The system combines a patented rapid microplate sampling
method and a seven decade dynamic range which enables
unprecedented sampling speeds, zero dead volume as well as
the ability to simultaneously measure cells and their secreted
proteins in the same assay well..."

Multiplexing Phenotype and Function for More Biologically Relevant Insights

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