Logos Biosystems CELENA X for imaging and analysis of 3D cell models

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Two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems have been the standard for a wide variety of biological research because they are relatively inexpensive and easy to study. However, three-dimensional (3D) cell models can provide a more accurate representation of real cell environments. Organoids (organ-specific 3D cell models derived from human stem cells) mimic the functionality and structure of human organs, revealing the complex nature of those types of tissue. Also, 3D spheroids can represent a gradient of nutrients and oxygen between cells located in both outer and inner layers which is more relevant to physiological environments.

While 3D models are notably useful for studying various types of cancers, they require a different strategy of imaging and analysis compared to 2D cell culture. Organoids present multiple focal planes, making it difficult to acquire in-focused images for multiple organoids. For live/dead cell viability of the single organoid, a different analysis strategy is required since individual cells in an organoid do not exist as a single live/dead status.

The CELENA X High Content Imaging System with integrated Cell Analyzer software can provide a reproducible and quantitative method to study 3D cell models. The key is to use the intuitive focus merge software module of the CELENA X High Content Imaging System after acquiring Z-stack images from multi-channel fluorescence.

In a recent study, the imaging system provided further insights into how organoid viability assays and spheroid growth assays can be imaged and analysed. Cisplatin treated patient-derived colorectal cancer (CRC) organoid samples were imaged on five different focal planes. Images were then processed using the ‘MergeFocus’ module to merge five different focal planes. Merged images were then analysed to evaluate viability and spheroid growth of organoids. The results demonstrated the power of the CELENA X High Content Imaging System to provide reproducible and quantitative results, making it a highly effective tool for analysing Z-stack images of 3D cell models.

^{Reference: 1. Logosbio.com. 2022. Imaging and analysis of 3D cell models using the CELENA® X High Content Imaging System. [online] Available at: https://logosbio.com/application_notes/imaging-and-analysis-of-3d-cell-models-using-the-celena-x-high-content-imaging-system/ [Accessed 15 December 2022].}