Yokogawa Releases High-Throughput Cytological Discovery System for the Faster Discovery of New Drugs

Yokogawa Electric Corporation announced the release of the CellVoyager CV8000, a high-throughput cytological discovery system with enhanced functions. The system features a cell incubator with an improved airtight design that facilitates the observation of cell behavior over long periods of time. In addition, it comes with CellPathfinder, a new program that can analyze images of unlabeled cells and 3D images of samples. With these features, the CV8000 improves the efficiency of drug discovery research and biomedical research on leading-edge subjects, such as iPS and ES cells.

Product Features

1. Improved incubation environment for the long-term observation of living cells

   A stage incubator for the incubation of cells is available for use with CellVoyager series systems. The cells are cultured in hundreds of wells on micro well plates, and are treated with compounds that are dispensed using a special mechanism. Although the earlier version of this mechanism was capable of dispensing candidate compounds to each of the wells while images of the cells were being captured, it was designed in such a way that it was difficult to achieve an airtight seal in the cell incubator. To achieve a tighter seal, Yokogawa has redesigned this mechanism. As a result, CO2 can be maintained at a constant level, allowing the cells in the wells to be incubated in a more uniform environment. Thus, the CV8000 is ideal for applications such as the observation of the kinetics and proliferation of living cancer cells after treatment with different compounds or the introduction of genetic modifications, as well as rapid phenomena such as the pulsation of living cardiac muscle cells.

    

2. Software for analyzing images of unlabeled cells and 3D images of samples

   The CellPathfinder image analysis software was developed for the CV8000. Through the use of machine learning algorithms, this software is capable of recognizing and analyzing patterns in images of unlabeled cells taken with bright-field microscopes. This function uses an image analysis technology that Yokogawa developed in 2015 based on a technology transferred from the Finnish company Chip-Man Technologies. With this function, multiple overlapping bright-field images of cells taken at various distances are combined to produce a high-contrast image. This clearly visualizes cell profiles without the need for phase-contrast lenses. Furthermore, by using the new pattern recognition function with these images, it is possible to accurately analyze changes in cell proliferation that occur over time. This software also has a 3D image analysis function for the observation of cells that are being grown under 3D-conditions similar to a natural environment. This function makes it easy to quantify cell aggregate volume, surface area, and location. CellPathfinder can also be used with Yokogawa's CQ1 confocal quantitative image cytometer for the high-precision quantification of cells.

    

3. Quick imaging of multicolor-labeled cells

   For imaging, cell organelles such as nuclei and mitochondria are labeled with different fluorescent dyes, and each of the fluorescent dyes is excited by a laser set to the corresponding wavelength. To capture images of these organelles, a separate camera is required for each fluorescent dye. If an high content analysis HCA system does not have multiple cameras, imaging must be repeated for each wavelength. The CV8000 can accommodate four cameras (up from three for the CellVoyager CV7000). Since cells are usually labeled with no more than four colors, the CV8000 can capture images in one shot. Compared to the CV7000, this reduces the amount of time required for a four-color image by at least 20 percent. Moreover, continuous shooting enables observation of the rapid changes in cells that occur just after a compound is administered.

   The number of laser wavelengths that can be selected has been increased from four to five. And while offering a number of powerful new functions, the CV8000 also has a 40 percent smaller footprint and weighs 20 percent less than the CellVoyager CV7000.

    

4. Pinhole-sized Nipkow disk with industry-leading performance

   The CellVoyager series uses microlens-enhanced Nipkow confocal disks. The CV8000 can accept disks with two different pinhole diameters: 25 μm and 50 μm. The 25 μm disk enables high-definition observation of cell structures, and the conventional 50 μm disk is suited for observing cells with weak fluorescence. Depending on conditions, users can select the appropriate disk to obtain clear images.

    

Main target markets include research and development departments of pharmaceutical companies, drug discovery research institutions, and biomedical basic research organizations.

Keywords: Cytological Discovery, Cell Incubator, Biomedical Research, ARC Advisory Group.