Method for Analyzing State of Cells in Spheroid

A cell analysis apparatus for analyzing a cell state in the interior of a spheroid, comprising:

• a light source, a light condensation optical system configured to irradiate cells on a culture surface with light from the light source, and a detection optical system configured to detect light from the cells;
• and
• an analysis unit configured to analyze an image based on information acquired from the detection optical system,
• wherein the analysis unit has:
• an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of cross-sectional images having different distances from the culture surface in the vertical direction;
• a brightness measurement unit configured to measure brightness of the plurality of cross-sectional images;
• and
• a state analysis unit configured to correct the brightness in consideration of signal strength attenuation and analyze a cell state in the spheroid interior.

A cell culture apparatus comprising a culture unit configured to culture a spheroid, an analysis unit configured to analyze a cell state in the interior of the spheroid by using light, and a control unit configured to control culture and analysis of the spheroid,

• wherein
• (1) the analysis unit has:
• a light source, a light condensation optical system configured to irradiate cells on a culture surface with light from the light source, a detection optical system configured to detect light from the cells;
• and
• an image analysis unit configured to analyze an image based on information acquired from the detection optical system, and
• the image analysis unit has:
• an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of cross-sectional images having different distances from the culture surface in the vertical direction;
• a brightness measurement unit configured to measure brightness of the plurality of cross-sectional images;
• and
• a state analysis unit configured to analyze a cell state in the spheroid interior on the basis of the brightness, and
• (2) the control unit controls at least one of supply of a cell solution, supply of a culture medium, disposal of a culture medium, culture of cells, irradiation of light, detection of light, acquisition of an image, measurement of brightness, and analysis of a cell state.