Methods and devices for live cell imaging analysis
AssigneesPresident and Fellows of Harvard College, Nikon Corporation
InventorsLee L. Rubin, Yasujiro Kiyota, Chieko Nakada, Keiichi Niikura, Kathleen L. Pfaff
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Abstract
Provided herein are methods for analysis of target cells on a population or individual basis, including before and after contact with a stimulus in order to determine the effect of such stimulus on the target cells. Also provided are devices for performing such methods. The analysis methods involve identifying and measuring or tracking morphological changes that occur in target cells over a period of time. Tracking is accomplished using imaging systems capable of imaging target cells individually over a period of time either continuously or at discrete intervals of time.
Claims12
A method for manipulating cells in an incubator having an imaging device, the method comprising:
- executing a control program using processor circuitry, wherein the control program corresponds to executable instructions encoded in a storage medium that, when executed by the processor circuitry, cause the processor circuitry to:
- control the incubator to culture a neuronal cell population in vitro, wherein a neuron of the neuronal cell population has a cell body and a number of nodes, and wherein a node is a junction between the cell body and a neurite that extends from the cell body;
- control, while the incubator is culturing the neuronal cell population in vitro, the imaging device of the incubator to repeatedly acquire an image of a neuron in the neuronal cell population during cell differentiation, the neuron having a cell body and a number of nodes, wherein a node is a junction between the cell body and a neurite extending from the cell body;
- detect the number of nodes of the neuron by analyzing morphological features based on the image of the neuron;
- compare the number of nodes of the neuron to a predetermined number to analyze a state of the neuron to obtain a comparison result;
- monitor the neuron in the neuronal cell population for a determination that the neuron is in a healthy state;
- determine that the neuron is in the healthy state if the comparison result indicates that the number of nodes exceeds the predetermined number, and determine that the neuron is in an unhealthy state if the comparison result indicates the number of nodes is less than the predetermined number;
- and
- upon determining that the neuron is in the healthy state, contacting the neuron with a stimulus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.