Automated multi-parametric label free 24 channel real-time screening system

In research, pharmacological drug-screening and medical diagnostics, the trend towards the utilization of functional assays using living cells persists. As they are very sensitive, cells are used as signal transducers. For this purpose our research group has developed an automated high-content online measurement system, which is described in this paper. The system is comprised of a pipetting robot sensors for measurement of pH, pO₂, electric signals and cell adhesion, a digital microscope and a climate chamber. The robot is used to supply the cells with nutrient solution or active agents that are to be tested, while the sensors monitor the acidification of the medium, the uptake of oxygen and the adhesion of the cells to the substrate. Reflected light as well as fluorescence imaging during the course of an experiment are possible due to the included microscope. Cells and sensors are arranged in a special 24-well micro plate that is placed at a fixed position within the system. Oxygen and pH values are usually measured every 5 to 15 seconds. The running software also allows planning of experiments over a long period of time (several days), which makes the system suitable for applications like pharmaceutical drug screening, in vitro chemo-sensitivity assays, toxicological studies and analytical histopathology.