System for cell-based screening

An automated method for analyzing cell spreading comprising:

• a) providing an array of locations which contain multiple cells that are to be contacted with a test stimulus, wherein the cells possess at least a first luminescent reporter that specifically identifies cell cytoplasm;
• b) contacting the cells with the test stimulus;
• c) scanning multiple cells in each of the locations containing cells to acquire a cytoplasmic image from the first luminescent reporter molecule;
• d) creating a cytoplasmic mask from the cytoplasmic image;
• e) identifying cytoplasmic objects in the cytoplasmic mask;
• and
• f) automatically calculating one or more of the following cell-based morphological features:
• i) Cell area;
• ii) Cell perimeter;
• iii) Cell shape;
• iv) Cell aggregate intensity;
• and
• vii) Cell average intensity;
• wherein the cell-based morphological features provide a measure of cell spreading caused by the test stimulus.