Large Field of View Detectors for High Content Screening

Challenge Background

High Content Screening (HCS) has become a mainstay of biological testing and drug discovery experiments. The key aspect of HCS is to measure as many properties or attributes of individual cells, or entire organisms as quickly as possible. This can be performed using a wide range of experimental configurations. Samples may be screened using end-point (for better signal to noise ratio) or by kinetic analyses. It is possible to do screening at the level of specific proteins or genetic markers up to the level of the effects of compounds on a specific cell sub-type within a mixed cell population or model organism. HCS setups are typically based around fluorescence microscopy platforms and may use confocal or FRET techniques coupled with a microplate or flow cytometry based format. Automation and image analysis software helps optimize throughput and analyse the large datasets created.

HCS techniques continue to develop at a rapid pace, placing ever more demands on the imaging system used. Not only must the camera used for high throughput imaging have a large sensor size and be capable of high speed imaging, it also must have excellent sensitivity to discriminate often faint signals from the background noise.

Technology Solution

sCMOS cameras feature large sensor sizes and high speeds which means that large areas can be imaged rapidly. The latest sCMOS cameras with back-illuminated technology promise greater sensitivity than previous generations making them even more suitable for screening samples that have low levels of fluorophore emission.

Andor Camera Solutions for High Content Screening Studies

Andor highly recommend the Sona back-illuminated sCMOS camera for high content screening applications. The ideal combination of field of view, sensitivity and speed makes the Sona perfectly suited to the needs of HCS applications:

• Sona 4.2B-11 provides a massive 32 mm Field of View from its 4.2 Megapixel sensor - the large field of view allows more cells to be analysed per image.
• A near perfect 95% QE and low noise means that the Sona is highly sensitive to changes in fluorescence emission and keeps exposures low for faster acquisitions.
• The very wide dynamic range provided by the Extended Dynamic Range Technology means a field of variable intensity cells can be quantified in only one acquisition.
• Excellent quantitative accuracy makes quantitative measurements throughout the signal range possible whether it is low or high in level.