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Project

Interactive and intelligent cellomics platform.

Crucial insights in cell and developmental biology have been gained by virtue of live cell imaging technology. Along with a growing complexity of cellular models and the finesse with which they can be genetically engineered, comes a demand for more advanced microscopy. In brief, modern comprehensive cell systems research (cellomics) requires light-efficient, intelligent and interactive imagingmodalities. To address this shared need, our consortium has identified a state-of-the art platform that allows ultrafast, yet minimally invasive imaging of small to medium-sized biological samples (from single cells to organoids) at high resolution, so as to capture dynamic events that range in timescale from voltage fluctuations to successive cell divisions. To only focus on those events that are truly of interest, and thereby boost throughput, the system is equipped with online image recognition capabilities. Finally, to allow targeted perturbations such as local damage induction or optogenetic switching, small regions can be selectively illuminated in the field of view. With this level of control, it will become possible to interrogate (sub-)cellular processes with unprecedented detail. The platform readily finds applications in diverse frontline research fields including neuroscience, cardiovascular research and infectious diseases, rendering it an indispensable asset for the applicants, the microscopy core facility and the University of Antwerp.
Date:1 May 2020 →  Today
Keywords:LIVE CELL IMAGING, FUNCTIONAL IMAGING, CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY, MICROSCOPY
Disciplines:Data visualisation and high-throughput image analysis, Molecular and cell biology not elsewhere classified, Data visualisation and imaging, Cytology, Cell physiology