Innovations in Live‑Cell Imaging: Harnessing Confocal Technology for Enhanced 3D Biological Insights
Authors: Jasmine Trigg¹, Kirsty McBain¹, Gillian Lovell¹, Kalpana Barnes¹, John Rauch², Nicola Bevan¹
¹ Sartorius, Royston, Hertfordshire, UK, ² Sartorius, Ann Arbor, Michigan, US
Last Updated: February 2026
Overview
This application note demonstrates how confocal live‑cell imaging overcomes the challenges of evaluating immune cell killing (ICK) in complex 3D tumor spheroid models. By combining spatially precise optical sectioning with multiplexed, non‑perturbing fluorescence readouts, researchers can reliably monitor immune–tumor interactions, effector infiltration, apoptosis, and tumor destruction in real time.
Incucyte® CX3 Live‑Cell Analysis
The Incucyte® CX3 enables continuous, incubator‑based imaging with spinning‑disk confocal technology, delivering clearer visualization of thick 3D samples and improved quantification of dynamic ICK responses.
Confocal Live‑Cell Workflow
This flexible workflow supports diverse immuno‑oncology applications—including T‑cell, CAR‑T, NK‑mediated ADCC, and ADC assays—helping bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo studies.
Resource Details:
- Document Type: Application Note
- Page Count: 18
- Read Time: 6 minutes
Key Takeaways
- Enhanced Spatial Resolution: Confocal live‑cell imaging in the Incucyte® CX3 delivers clear, high‑fidelity visualization of immune–tumor interactions in 3D spheroids, overcoming the limitations of widefield imaging in dense samples.
- Kinetic 3D Analysis: Ideal for long‑term, multiplexed monitoring, enabling detailed quantification of tumor cell death, immune‑cell infiltration, activation, and apoptosis across days‑long assays.
- Versatile Immunotherapy Evaluation: Supports a wide range of applications—including PBMC and NK killing, CAR‑T potency, and ADCC/ADC assessment—offering actionable insights into diverse immunotherapeutic mechanisms.
Preview of Application Note
