drug discovery & development 11
The system’s software supports 21CFR Part 11 and
includes a gantry control, allowing automatic imaging
of larger SRD plates when required. These innovative
features make ProtoCOL ideal for increasing productivity
in any GMP vaccine production facility.
A computer controlled, high-resolution CCD camera
captures precise zone images and its new software
automatically assesses not just two points from around
the circular zone, as would be performed manually but
simultaneously analyses multiple points. The software
then rapidly calculates a precise average diameter
measurement to provide an accurate indication of vaccine
potency.
The highly reproducible results are automatically
transferred into Excel or to a LIMS system for storage
Fig. 2. The RTCA DP instrument uses up to three
or statistical analysis where a vaccine’s batch number
16-well plates for simultaneous experiments.
or name can be entered into the ProtoCOL software. An by measuring electrical impedance. Microelectrodes
image library is also created alongside, permitting staff to integrated in the bottom of specially engineered tissue
see an SRD plate if there is a query after it is disposed of. culture E-Plates measure changes and provide precise
These files ensure producing raw data and professional quantitative information about the status of cells,
reports for each flu vaccine, as and when required by including cell number, cell adhesion, cell viability, and cell
regulatory authorities, is a simple task. morphology.
Martin Smith of Synbiosis commented: “The market Continuous impedance monitoring of cell responsivity
for flu vaccines is very competitive and there is only allows researchers to pinpoint important experimental
a short time when there is a large product demand. time points for more detailed downstream assays.
Therefore, pharma and biotech companies that can have Impedance measurements represent a revolution in
their vaccines available first, have a clear advantage. cellular surveillance compared to single conventional
Using our advanced ProtoCOL system will help achieve endpoint assays.
this because automating analysis of SRD plates means a Meanwhile MDS Analytical Technologies has
vaccine’s potency can be determined in minutes, rather introduced six-channel and two-channel versions of the
than hours, thus reducing manufacturing timelines.” SpectraMax L, a new multiple photomultiplier-based
Following the launches of the xCELLigence RTCA SP platform for microplate luminometers designed for
Instrument and the RTCA MP Instrument last year, Roche drug-discovery scientists who screen small molecules
Applied Science has now completed its xCELLigence Real- for biological activity and life sciences researchers who
Time Cell Analyser product line with its newest model, investigate protein-protein interactions (Fig. 3).
the RTCA DP Instrument. The six-channel system reads 96-well and 384-well
The xCELLigence system measures impedance-based microplates six times faster than conventional microplate
signals both in label-free cellular analysis and in cell luminometers. The two-channel instrument reads flash
invasion/migration assays. The new RTCA DP Instrument and glow luminescence twice as fast as conventional
(DP is short for dual plate) is applicable for flexible mid microplate luminometers, and enables bioluminescence
to high throughput research assays and uses up to three resonance energy transfer (BRET) assays for proteomics
16-well plates for simultaneous experiments (Fig. 2). In studies. u
contrast, the RTCA SP and MP systems cover the demand
for low and high throughput, respectively.
The new RTCA DP instrument provides real-time
cellular analysis with a high level of flexibility for cell
science researchers carrying out parallel short-term
(hours) and long-term (days) assays using label-free,
non-invasive impedance measuring.
The three 16-well plates of the RTCA DP Instrument
can be operated flexibly by three different users;
each 16-well E-Plate can be monitored and analysed
independently. Thanks to its small size, the RTCA DP
Instrument with 16-well E-Plates can be placed in
standard carbon dioxide incubators, making it easy to
achieve optimum cell culture conditions.
xCELLigence RTCA instruments monitor cellular Fig. 3. SpectraMax L is designed to screen small
responses continuously without exogenous labels molecules for biological activity.
www.scientistlive.com
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44