IN Cell Investigator software supports a wide range of cell based assays in drug discovery and cellular research. Applications include a wide range of assays, including:
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Apoptosis
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Signaling pathway analysis
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Toxicity
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Cell cycle reporting
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Organelle and protein trafficking studies
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Neurite outgrowth
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Cell differentiation
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Tissue imaging
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Cell tracking
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Angiogenesis
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Receptor activation
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Calcium imaging
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Micronuclei formation
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Morphology analysis
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Neuronal function
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RNAi analysis
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Cell migration
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Cytoskeletal analysis
These applications are supported by specific features provided by the main software components. Please select from the menu below to jump to the relevant information about these features:
Analysis Modules
Assay Development
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The wizard style interface guides the user through all steps of assay development and helps to define cells and subcellular objects during assay development
Analysis Module Protocol Wizard
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Different measurements are grouped according to cellular components and allow the user to describe cellular phenotypes in detail
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Any combination of available intensity, morphological and neighborhood measurements can be used to classify cells into relevant subpopulations e.g. to define cell cycle status or to exclude untransfected cells
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Available filters include threshold, 2D linear discriminant and multi level decision trees
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Interactive plots provide instant feedback between images and data to aid optimal parameter setting
2D Linear Discriminant to classify cells
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The user has the choice between the flexible Multi-target Analysis module or simplified modules suited for more narrowly defined assays
Analysis Module Decision Tree and plate heat map
Routine Analysis
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Assay protocols can be password protected against editing
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Simplified user interface streamlines analysis process
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Choice of data output, including Excel and XML
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Easy transfer to Spotfire DecisionSite™ for interactive data analysis
Assays Development/Analysis mode selection
Modules included with IN Cell Investigator Software:
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Multi-target analysis: The most versatile module, allowing analysis of up to seven object types and flexible classification
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Micronuclei formation: Fast and automated analysis of micronucleus formation for toxicological applications
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Neurite outgrowth: Measurement of neurites and cell morphology features
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Nuclear trafficking: Measures changes in the ratio of fluorescence intensity between the cytoplasm and the nucleus
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Granularity: Quantitates ‘granules' in terms of count, area, and intensity
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Morphology: Measures cellular morphology and cellular intensity of nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments
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Cell cycle trafficking: Assigns cells expressing an appropriate fluorescent label to G2, M, or G1/S phases
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Object analysis: Measures changes in the intensity of fluorescent labels
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Dual area object analysis: Enables simultaneous measurement of subcellular inclusions such as grains, vesicles, and fibers (e.g., for apoptosis analysis)
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Membrane trafficking: Measures subcellular inclusions and translocations of proteins to and from the plasma membrane
If your analysis needs are not met by the Multi-target analysis module, the Developer Toolbox is the right tool for you. It is a hierarchical protocol editor to tailor protocols to your specific assay without the need to learn any scripting language.
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Context modules provide an easy to use, application-specific user interface to predefined protocols. These protocols can be used directly, or provide a starting point for further customization
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The hierarchical protocol editor helps to construct complex protocols without scripting
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Protocols can be optimized by previewing in step by step mode
Developer Toolbox interface
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Analyze fluorescent or brightfield images
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Track cells over time for life cell motility analysis or to follow phenotype changes
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Create user-defined measures for you assay
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Extend functionality by building your own macros in a graphical editor
Good software interfaces are important! The Spotfire DecisionSite screen shot to the right was recently used to illustrate the importance of software in discovery and creativity support (Shneiderman 2007). It shows how the IN Cell Analyzer automated microscope was used to identify proteins influencing the division of human cells.
After the images were analyzed with IN Cell Investigator, quantitative results were transferred to its Spotfire DecisionSite component. The visualization revealed the previously unknown involvement of the retinol binding protein RBP1 in cell cycle control (see Stubbs, S. and Thomas, N., Methods in Enzymology 414 (2006), 1-21). The Retinol-a form of Vitamin A-plays a crucial role in vision and during embryonic development
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