Institut Curie is to utilise GE Healthcare's In Cell Analyzer 1000 cellular analysis imaging technology in new cancer drug research project
As part of its ongoing research dedicated to the understanding of how cells become cancerous, Institut Curie (Paris, France), one of the largest cancer research centres in Europe, is to use an adaptable sub-cellular imaging system from GE Healthcare in a new research project.
The goal of Institut Curie's BioPhenics project, initially focusing on breast and lung cancer, is to apply cell biology and microscopic imaging to cancer research for a deeper understanding, improved target validation and, ultimately, more efficient cancer drug discovery.
Institut Curie will be utilising GE Healthcare's In Cell Analyzer 1000, an automated sub-cellular imaging system, to observe cells in culture during its research to help build a picture of cell behaviour and responses.
During the research project, Institut Curie will be able to use the flexible system for a wide range of biological applications, including screening, lead profiling, target validation and assay development.
Franck Perez and Jacques Camonis, heads of the BioPhenics project in the Translational Department at Institut Curie, explain: "Research at Institut Curie is committed to understanding the process of how normal cells become malignant and produce tumours.
"The primary mission of our BioPhenics project is to look closely at cell biology and microscopic imaging in our cancer research.
"The In Cell Analyzer 1000 will help us to build a comprehensive description of cell behaviour at both the global and sub-cellular level.
"Comparative phenotyping will be applied as a tool to determine functions of important genes and to evaluate potential new drug candidates.
"Particular strengths of the In Cell Analyzer 1000 system for us in our research is the rapid image visualisation, easy and reliable interpretation for cellular event analysis, and the speed in assay development by being able to exchange data among our scientists".
The valuable data gathered by the In Cell Analyzer 1000 during the research will be cross-referenced with external and internal data sets of protein networks, and expression co-regulation in tumours and normal cells.
In Cell Analyzer 1000 is part of GE Healthcare's range for cell-based research and drug discovery, comprising instruments, software, informatics and reagents.
The instrument is fully modular, and is compatible with multiple applications in a variety of formats, including fluorescence, bright field and luminescence based assays.
Additionally, the instrument has an optional module for microscope slide imaging.
An open architecture enables research scientists to use a variety of automation options and data management tools for integrated and faster discovery.
