Roche Applied Science has introduced ACEA Biosciences' Xcelligence RTCA MP Instrument, which needs less than 15 seconds to analyse a 96-well E Plate.
The RTCA MP has a higher throughput capacity than the RTCA SP and is more versatile, enabling application on a wider range of experimental set-ups.
The new system features six E-Plates 96 as opposed to only one in the RTCA SP.
Each E-Plate can be individually addressed in independent experiments, enabling a larger group of researchers to work simultaneously.
The system is suitable for drug research and the first systems have already been delivered to major pharmaceutical companies.
Each Xcelligence System contains a micro-electronic biosensor built into each well of the standard 96-well E Plate microtiter plates.
A cell that has contact with the sensor changes the electrical impedance between the microelectrodes.
Each change in the cell's status (for example changes in cell adhesion, cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, cell - cell interactions, and morphological changes) leads to changes in the impedance measurements and can therefore be quickly detected in real time.
Labelling of the cells, which can induce non-physiological changes, is unnecessary.
The system is label-free and requires no reporters.
The cell-based assay system perfectly integrates micro electronics and cell biology and has a number of advantages over conventional cell analysis systems.
It is suitable for uninterrupted monitoring of processes in living cells and for monitoring real-time kinetics.
The system supplies a densely concentrated stream of information and demonstrates excellent sensitivity and reproducibility when monitoring the overall cell population of a cell culture.
The Xcelligence Real-time Cell Analyzer system was invented by ACEA Biosciences and was co-developed by Roche and ACEA.
The Xcelligence system will be marketed exclusively by Roche.
