Definition
High Content Analysis (HCA) can be defined as the automated process of extracting and analyzing quantitative data from cell images that have been captured with a high-resolution light microscope (usually a fluorescence microscope) equipped with a sensitive camera.

This powerful new technology is having an impact across many disciplines including:
 • Basic research
 • Biotechnology
 • Drug discovery
 • Drug development and safety testing

Development and adoption of the technology
Since the 17^th century, microscopy has been a powerful tool for studying cells. Its application remained limited until relatively recently, however, due to its manual time-consuming methodology, and the qualitative nature of the data, based on subjective assessment of images.

Over the past decade, automation of both image acquisition and analysis has paved the way to a more robust and productive approach to cell biology. HCA emerged through the confluence of significant advances in:
 • Optical probe technologies
 • Automated imaging instrumentation
 • Image analysis
 • Bioinformatics.

Detailed examination of cells at the microscopic level enables the probing of complex signalling mechanisms, elucidating molecular function, studying cell behavior and correlating multiple events and markers against the same physiological background.