Scientific multiuser equipment: acquisition of a high content screening platform for automated multiparametric, quantitative cellular analyses

• Grant number: 22/11551-7
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Scientific
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: July 31, 2030
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Luis Carlos de Souza Ferreira
• Grantee: Luis Carlos de Souza Ferreira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Elizabeth Bilsland ; Helder Takashi Imoto Nakaya ; Luiz Carlos Dias ; Lygia da Veiga Pereira ; Marcelo Santos da Silva ; Mário Henrique Bengtson

Abstract

Phenotypic assays are in vitro cell-based assays that have numerous applications in basic and applied research in the biomedical sciences. A phenotypic assay modality known as High Content Assay (HCA) features the automated analysis of images and multiparametric quantification of diverse cellular phenotypes, including cell size and number, cell morphology, various aspects of subcellular structures (such as organelles), cell growth and infection, among many other parameters that can be analyzed from phase contrast or fluorescent images. Among the applications of HCA are assays that demand quantification of cellular phenotypes, such as phenotypic screening or High Content Screening (HCS) of chemical and genetic libraries, monoclonal antibody screenings, neutralization assays with antibodies or peptides, morphofunctional studies of 3D cellular structures, such as organoids and spheroids derived from stem cells, assays for the formation of neuronal structures such as neurite and cell migration assays, both small and large scale, and for live or fixed cells. The present proposal Multi-User Equipment (EMU) seeks to establish an HCS platform for automated acquisition and analysis of images and diverse cellular phenotypes, unique in its configuration and capable of processing thousands of assays in parallel and quickly. The HCS equipment will contribute to several research projects in the state of São Paulo, enabling the acquisition of quantitative data, increasing the robustness and impact of the results obtained. (AU)