Utilizing automated classification of cellular responses to investigate apoptosis.(Tools & Techniques)

Introduction

High content screening (HCS), or the automation of image-based cell biological investigation, has rapidly become a widely utilized approach in basic cell biological research and drug discovery. (1) Currently available tools for HCS address the need for automation and integration of all activities involved in the performance of image-based cellular investigation, These include sample preparation, automated microscopy, automated image processing and analysis, storage and archiving of images and numeric data, data visualization and bioinformatics. Since its introduction, several advancements have been implemented in each of these areas to aide in the successful implementation of HCS. (2,3)

Automated image analysis algorithms, a key component of HCS assays, are used to extract biologically meaningful measurements from cellular images. Currently available algorithms can be readily applied to a range of cell-based assays including cell proliferation, morphological changes, motility, protein …