Application Note: Kinetic Quantification of Cell Proliferation Using Live-Cell Analysis
Authors: Nicola Bevan, Gillian Lovell, Jasmine Trigg, Clare Szybut, John Rauch, Libby Oupicka, Kalpana Barnes | Last Updated: February 25, 2022
Overview
Cell proliferation assays are fundamental to various research fields, including cancer therapeutics, developmental biology, and drug safety. These assays are instrumental in understanding the complex signaling pathways that drive tumor progression, as evidenced by the extensive literature on the subject. Despite their widespread use, cell proliferation assays present technical challenges that must be addressed to obtain accurate and meaningful data.
Traditional methods of cell proliferation analysis often require endpoint measurements that can miss critical biological events. Moreover, the need to maintain non-perturbing conditions over extended periods is crucial for obtaining high-quality results. Temporal monitoring is essential to capture the dynamic nature of cell growth, and this necessitates methodologies that allow for continuous data collection without disrupting the cellular environment.
The Incucyte® Live-Cell Analysis System offers a solution to these challenges by enabling real-time, non-invasive monitoring of cell proliferation. This system utilizes time-lapse imaging, integrated image analysis, and immediate data visualization to track the behavior of living cells over extended periods. The continuous data collection facilitated by live-cell analysis eliminates the need for multiple endpoint assays and reduces the risk of missing significant biological events.
- Document type: Application Note
- Page count: 5
- Read time: 15 minutes
Key Takeaways
In this application note, we explore:
- Kinetic, label-free analysis of cell proliferation and cell counting
- Continuous live-cell proliferation for non-adherent cells
- Fluorescence labeling to track proliferation
- High throughput compound testing capabilities
Figure 1: Kinetic, Label-Free Analysis of Cell Proliferation
Note. A549 (A), SKBr3 (B), or MDA-MB-231 (C) cells were seeded in a 96-well plate, and images were collected and analyzed using the Incucyte Live-Cell Analysis System with Base Analysis Software. Shown are the original images (top row) and the generated confluence mask in yellow (bottom row). The graph (D) shows quantification of various starting densities of MDA-MB-231 cells proliferating over time. Data shown as mean ± SEM for 4 wells.
