High content imaging

[Deepak Saini]

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Hi,

We are looking to acquire a high content imaging platform with live imaging capabilities
for our institute. We are considering the following options.
1. In cell analyzer 6000 from GE
2. Operatta from Perkin Elmer
3. image express Micro from Molecular Devices
4. Arrayscan from Cellomics

our requirement is a true hardware driven confocal with live imaging and injector module.
I will appreciate any feedback about these systems. We did not have a chance to test all
the systems so we are forced to consider the systems based on specs only. Inputs on the
following issues will be appreciated.
1. CARV confocal module in Operatta and Cellomics - are they good for live imaging
applications? they use an older Nipkow disc and LED light source, do they work?
2. which system offers best compatibility of live imaging module (using 100% CO2) and a
good injector system at the same time. We have an impression that GE system can only
handle either of the options but not both!! We don't know much about the other systems
and it's an area of concern.
3. Switchability between confocal and epifluorescence imaging. Which system offers most
convenient option? Filter changing options in terms of ease?

I would be highly grateful for any input on this.

Thanks,
DK.

[mahogny]

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On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 5:15 PM, DKS <[hidden email]> wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> Hi,
>
> We are looking to acquire a high content imaging platform with live
> imaging capabilities
> for our institute. We are considering the following options.
> 1. In cell analyzer 6000 from GE
> 2. Operatta from Perkin Elmer
> 3. image express Micro from Molecular Devices
> 4. Arrayscan from Cellomics
>
>

I recommend against all options that force into a vendor lock-in in terms
of software. That is, if you cannot get software from a third party, don't
get it. Why? Because in a modern system 80% of the features are in the
software. If you have good hardware and can upgrade the software, you can
keep it running forever. If you cannot upgrade the software you will within
a couple years start drooling at what your competitors can do, and you
cannot. Especially in terms of more complicated HTS experiments, the
off-the-shelf systems such as above are behind development already when it
is sent from the manufacturer.

Getting a confocal microscope (I generally recommend spinning disk for HTS,
depends) that can run multi-well plates is not hard. On this system, I
would right away invest the time in learning micro-manager, as it is the
most programmable software on the market right now (and I don't see any
competition coming). What you rather have to read up on, and here I'm not
up to date, is what plate injectors exist for use on these systems.
However, I think without doubt it will give you a way higher
return-of-investment.

/Johan

> our requirement is a true hardware driven confocal with live imaging and
> injector module.
> I will appreciate any feedback about these systems. We did not have a
> chance to test all
> the systems so we are forced to consider the systems based on specs only.
> Inputs on the
> following issues will be appreciated.
> 1. CARV confocal module in Operatta and Cellomics - are they good for live
> imaging
> applications? they use an older Nipkow disc and LED light source, do they
> work?
> 2. which system offers best compatibility of live imaging module (using
> 100% CO2) and a
> good injector system at the same time. We have an impression that GE
> system can only
> handle either of the options but not both!! We don't know much about the
> other systems
> and it's an area of concern.
> 3. Switchability between confocal and epifluorescence imaging. Which
> system offers most
> convenient option? Filter changing options in terms of ease?
>
> I would be highly grateful for any input on this.
>
> Thanks,
> DK.
>

--
--
-----------------------------------------------------------
Johan Henriksson, PhD
Karolinska Institutet
Ecobima AB - Custom solutions for life sciences
http://www.ecobima.com  http://mahogny.areta.org  http://www.endrov.net

<http://www.endrov.net>

[Justin Price]

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Hello List,

Although I agree and support Johan's DIY attitude, programming hardware and learning how mine data is not a trivial pursuit.  One could easily got lost in the minutiae the technical side of the instrument requiring at least one dedicated person to run and maintain the scope and a bioinformatician to collate and extract the data-it can be easy to accidentally pick up a new specialization and lose track of the biology at hand. I'm not sure if this a personal investment or something that will be used by multiple users but there is a high risk of losing institutional knowledge if running the experiments is left to somewhat transient PhD students or post-docs.  


I have have seen the Cell Analyzer from GE and was very impressed by data handling capabilities of the software. The ease at which could mine data during and post acquisition seemed very user friendly. You have the ability to run old data sets to answer new question without necessarily having to rerun the experiment.  This is one of the few HCS systems I have seen so I can't compare it against the others but you should consider the data handling capabilities as I have encountered this being a steep learning curve to itself.  You must consider where you want your focus to be, biology or technology.

The nice aspect of using a commercial package is that there is typically excellent customer service that is associated with the higher price tag.  It is of commercial interest to keep customers happy which would include performing training for groups of new users or more advanced application based training. On top of in-house training most companies have a help line to call into if you get stuck whereas you would be on your own if your personal software gets corrupted.  If your worried about customizations you should talk to your sales rep and see if the outfit would work with you to better fit your needs.

Happy hunting and enjoy whatever option you decide to go with.

Best regards,

Justin



On Feb 22, 2013, at 9:13 AM, Johan Henriksson <[hidden email]> wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 5:15 PM, DKS <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> *****
>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
>> *****
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> We are looking to acquire a high content imaging platform with live
>> imaging capabilities
>> for our institute. We are considering the following options.
>> 1. In cell analyzer 6000 from GE
>> 2. Operatta from Perkin Elmer
>> 3. image express Micro from Molecular Devices
>> 4. Arrayscan from Cellomics
>>
>>
> I recommend against all options that force into a vendor lock-in in terms
> of software. That is, if you cannot get software from a third party, don't
> get it. Why? Because in a modern system 80% of the features are in the
> software. If you have good hardware and can upgrade the software, you can
> keep it running forever. If you cannot upgrade the software you will within
> a couple years start drooling at what your competitors can do, and you
> cannot. Especially in terms of more complicated HTS experiments, the
> off-the-shelf systems such as above are behind development already when it
> is sent from the manufacturer.
>
> Getting a confocal microscope (I generally recommend spinning disk for HTS,
> depends) that can run multi-well plates is not hard. On this system, I
> would right away invest the time in learning micro-manager, as it is the
> most programmable software on the market right now (and I don't see any
> competition coming). What you rather have to read up on, and here I'm not
> up to date, is what plate injectors exist for use on these systems.
> However, I think without doubt it will give you a way higher
> return-of-investment.
>
> /Johan
>
>
>
>> our requirement is a true hardware driven confocal with live imaging and
>> injector module.
>> I will appreciate any feedback about these systems. We did not have a
>> chance to test all
>> the systems so we are forced to consider the systems based on specs only.
>> Inputs on the
>> following issues will be appreciated.
>> 1. CARV confocal module in Operatta and Cellomics - are they good for live
>> imaging
>> applications? they use an older Nipkow disc and LED light source, do they
>> work?
>> 2. which system offers best compatibility of live imaging module (using
>> 100% CO2) and a
>> good injector system at the same time. We have an impression that GE
>> system can only
>> handle either of the options but not both!! We don't know much about the
>> other systems
>> and it's an area of concern.
>> 3. Switchability between confocal and epifluorescence imaging. Which
>> system offers most
>> convenient option? Filter changing options in terms of ease?
>>
>> I would be highly grateful for any input on this.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> DK.
>>
>
>
>
> --
> --
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> Johan Henriksson, PhD
> Karolinska Institutet
> Ecobima AB - Custom solutions for life sciences
> http://www.ecobima.com  http://mahogny.areta.org  http://www.endrov.net
>
> <http://www.endrov.net>