Rodent primary neurons and human iPS cell-derived neurons
Cytospector only uses rodent (mouse and rat) primary neurons and human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-derived neurons for its high-content assays. In contrast to neuroblastoma-derived cell lines, these real neurons accurately recapitulate in vivo neurodevelopment and allow quantitative assessment of neuronal network formation and synapse function.
Detailed analysis of synaptic phenotypes
Cytospector has a particular strong expertise in analyzing neuronal morphology, synapse formation, and synaptic transmission. Synaptic pathologies are implicated in many neurological and psychiatric diseases, making our assays highly relevant for research and drug development in this area.
High-content microscopy
Cytospector uses ThermoScientific ArrayScan HCS Reader and PerkinElmer Opera LX high-content microscopy systems for analysis of neuronal survival, dendrite and synapse morphology, and neuronal connectivity. We perform large-scale, highly sensitive and reproducible in vitro screens, assessing more than 40 neuronal phenotypic parameters that are relevant for neurological and psychiatric disease.
High-content analysis of
synaptic transmission
Cytospector analyzes synaptic transmission by patch clamp physiology on isolated single rodent or human neurons (autaptic cultures). Our automated scripts record over 30 physiological parameters that reflect key synaptic properties.