Maestro ZHT

Axion BioSystems’ Maestro ZHT™ platform measures cell proliferation, death, morphology, attachment, and signaling label-free and in real-time. Screen drug and biological candidates in 384- and 96-well plate formats. Track immune cell-mediated killing, viral infectivity, cancer cell invasiveness, endothelial barrier function, wound healing, and more.

These high-throughput assays are real-time, continuous, and label-free, revealing the full cellular response profile and kinetics using electrical impedance. Get more complete data without the time- and cost-intensive process of repeating multiple endpoint assays.

KEY FEATURES

Taking care of the assay so you can focus on the science:

• High-throughput, continuous monitoring of your cells — Up to 384 simultaneous live recordings from your cells. The Maestro ZHT system performs noninvasive electrical measurements from the cultured cell population, circumventing the use of dyes/reporters that can perturb your cells and confound results. Track activity over hours, days, and weeks from the same population of cells label-free and in real-time.
• Precisely control the cell environment — There is no need for an additional cell culture incubator, saving valuable lab space and money. Maestro Z’s smart environmental chamber finely controls temperature and CO₂ while rejecting electrical noise and mechanical vibrations.
• Start your assay with the push of a button — “One button setup” means temperature and CO₂ levels automatically adjust on plate docking. Plate usage is logged via an integrated plate barcode scanner for convenient experiment tracking.
• Review your results faster — The Impedance module with AxIS Z software provides a simplified approach to the setup, execution, and analysis of experiments.
• See your cells — Sometimes you just want to look at your cells under a microscope. Maestro’s CytoView patented transparent circuit technology allows cell visualization and assay multiplexing.
• Achieve 21 CFR Part 11 compliance in GLP/GMP labs — Designed with clinical translation and a regulatory environment in mind, the optional GxP Impedance Module makes the assay easy to validate and fully auditable while maintaining many of the streamlined and user-friendly features of AxIS Z.
• Validate your assay for high-throughput screening — A 384-well cytotoxicity assay using the Maestro ZHT was validated for high-throughput screening, achieving high Z' (Z'=0.81, n=2) with no edge effects.
• Monitor your experiments from outside the lab — The Maestro Z App allows you to check in on your cells and experiment to ensure everything is running smoothly while you are away from the lab.
• Increase throughput with multiple Maestros — Simultaneously monitor multiple plates automatically with multiple Maestro support. Save space in your lab by controlling multiple Maestro systems using a single computer.

Multiplex your assay: Maestro + Omni

• Platform cross-compatibility lets you view live-cell imaging alongside real-time, functional data to enhance your analysis.
• Monitor electrode coverage and cell morphology to ensure consistent, quality results.
• Experience no-hassle tracking—the Axion Portal automatically links data via barcode.

Impedance-based assays include but are not limited to:

• Cytotoxicity and cell viability
• In vitro potency assay for cancer immunotherapy
• Barrier function/TEER
• Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion
• Anti-viral drugs and viral titer studies
• GPCR signaling and more

Software

The Maestro ZHT system is available with two software modules: Impedance and GxP Impedance. Select the software modules to match your assay needs:

• Impedance – Track cell proliferation, morphology, and viability label-free and in real-time. Ideal for immuno-oncology, cytotoxicity, virology, cell migration, cell proliferation, GPCR assays, and many more.
• GxP Impedance – Achieve FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance in GMP/GLP labs with this version of the Impedance Software Module.

Consumables

• The Maestro ZHT system is compatible with both 384- and 96-well impedance assay plates.
• CytoView-Z™ – The Maestro impedance plate with a transparent well bottom for cell visualization and assay multiplexing. Available in 384-well and 96-well plate formats.

Cross-compatible Platforms

The Maestro ZHT system has cross-compatibility with:

• Omni™ – Compliment your impedance assays with whole-plate images of your cultures. View electrode coverage and culture health over time with just a few clicks in AxIS Z. Compatible with the Omni and Omni Pro 12™ systems.