High-Content Analysis
High-Content Analysis
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High-Content Analysis (HCA) or High-Content Screening (HCS) combines the molecular tools of cell biology with automated high-resolution microscopy, robotic handling, and automated evaluation.
HCA is used for detailed study of cellular mechanisms and interactions in multiple samples. Examples include studying whether cell division, motility, or protein entry is affected when cells are exposed to external stimuli such as chemical inhibitors.
In research, information generated using HCA is highly valuable in the study of complex disease, including cancer, neurology, immunology, and infectious diseases. In drug discovery research, the throughput gained using HCA makes it a valuable technology for target identification, for example through the use of RNAi screens. Deeper insights provided by HCA give more confidence in hit selection, safety, and efficacy.
Advantages of HCA
HCA provides multiplexed, quantitative data based on automated cell imaging and analysis. Complex questions are answered quickly and in a true biological context.
Alternatives to HCA include biochemical assays, microscopy, Western blotting, and flow cytometry. While these techniques can be highly valuable, they can also have limitations in throughput, can disrupt cell integrity, and be labor intensive. These limitations reduce the number and complexity of assays, and the relevance of the results in a biological context.
With HCA:
- Increase throughput and information content by using multiple probes in one assay
- Reduce assay time by days to hours or hours to minutes
- Obtain more relevant data by investigating live intact cells (rather than cell extracts)
Learn more about HCA
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Non-Confocal instrument that provides a range of image restoration modes for confocal-like image quality.
Confocal imaging system that elegantly handles even the most challenging applications, including high-resolution imaging, 3-D imaging, co-localization studies, and assays with low signal levels.
Image Analysis software for IN Cell Analyzer systems. This powerful, yet flexible software platform offers three levels of analysis tools to suit the varied complexity of different assay types as well as different user skill levels.
Based on the established EMC™ Documentum™ platform, this database management system allows you and others within your organization to annotate, archive, retrieve, and store high content images and data.
