Neurite Outgrowth Analysis
We have developed automated solutions for the neurite outgrowth assays
commonly used in target identication/validation and compound screening
in drug discovery.
We have research collaborations in which we have custom developed
solutions for more complex neurite outgrowth assays:
Our Standalone HCA Software
Our 2D monolayer neurite analysis code is available in our standalone
HCA software, HCA-Vision.
View a Flash presentation about this
software.
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Player. It is set to 1280 x 1024 resolution and is 4MB in size. Set
your browser to full screen mode (F11). Commercial Partners
Our 2D monolayer neurite analysis code has been integrated into the HCA
cellular imaging systems of:
- Molecular Devices (formerly Axon Instruments) (http://www.axon.com)
are a major biotechnology instrumentation company that CSIRO has worked
with in the development of their
ImageXpressTM
cellular screening system.
- BD Biosciences (formerly Atto Bioscience)
specializes in technologies for live cell-based assays and affiliated
technologies including confocal high-throughput imaging.
The company has licensed CSIRO's neurite
outgrowth analysis software to run in
the AttoVision software for its Pathway HT cell screening system.
- PerkinElmer CTG GmbH (http://www.perkinelmer.com)
is a supplier of innovative tools and technologies for life sciences and
pharmaceutical drug discovery. The company has licensed CSIRO's neurite
outgrowth analysis software to run in
the Acapella software for its Opera
ultra high-throughput cell screening system.
If you would like to licence this module for integration into your
software platform please see the contact details below.
Custom Solutions
We develop custom solutions for non-standard assays. If
you'd like a quote please see the contact details below.
Neurite Detection for
single channel 2D images
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A
typical neuron cell image captured using a single fluorescence
channel.
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Standard
solutions just measure neurite number & length.
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Our
solution measures the more biologically relevant complexity of
neurite branching.
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Neurite Detection
for two channel 2D images
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A
typical neuron cell image captured using two fluorescence channels
– blue for nuclei, green for cytoplasm and neurites. |
Our
solution measures the complexity of neurite branching even in images
where the cells are densely populated and irregularly sized. |
Neurite
Detection for co-cultures of neurons and support cells in 2D images
To be closer to in vivo behaviour, neurons are grown
in co-cultures with glial cells/astrocytes. In order to automatically
analyse this behaviour the image analysis software must quantify the cell
shape characteristics for both cell types (neuron and astrocyte) as well as
the cell-cell relationships (cell clumping, cell co-localization, and
neurite bundling).
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Co-culture
neuron cell images captured using three fluorescence channels – blue
for nuclei, green for neurons and red for astrocytes. (Images
courtesy of Stephen Haggarty, Broad Institute) |
The two images above show the marked differences in biology that
need to be quantified when neurons are grown in co-cultures rather than monolayers. |
Neurite Detection
for 3D images
In collaboration with the Queensland Brain Institute, we are
developing software for automated analysis of 3D images of neurons in tissue
or support matrices.
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Volume rendering of a stained single cell, imaged using 2-photon
confocal microscopy.(Images courtesy of Prof P Sah, Queensland Brain
Institute) |
As in 2D, our 3D solution measures the complexity
of the neurite tree. |
For further information, please contact:
Pascal Vallotton
Leader, Biotech Imaging
CSIRO Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics
Locked Bag 17, North Ryde NSW 1670 AUSTRALIA
Phone: +61 (0)2 9325 3208
Fax: +61 (0)2 9325 3200
Email: pascal.vallotton@csiro.au
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Leanne Bischof
Biotech Imaging
CSIRO Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics
Locked Bag 17, North Ryde NSW 1670 AUSTRALIA
Phone: +61 (0)2 9325 3206
Fax: +61 (0)2 9325 3200
Email: leanne.bischof@csiro.au |
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