Compound Profiling for Anti-Cancer Activity using NCI-60 Cell Lines and Tecan’s Fluent Laboratory Automation Solution

19 Jul 2015

Tecan has re-invented automation with Fluent, a unique instrumentation concept built around the application-specific needs of cell biology and drug discovery laboratories. Fluent breaks new ground, delivering greater capacity and increased speed; the platform provides superior throughput and walk-away time, making it easier to get more done, more effectively. This application notes describes the successful automation of a cell viability assay using a selection of NCI cell lines which are commonly employed in cancer drug discovery.

CellTiter-Glo® 3D Cell Viability Assay

Promega Corp.

The CellTiter-Glo® 3D Cell Viability Assay is a homogeneous method to determine the number of viable cells in 3D cell culture based on quantitation of the ATP present, which is a marker for the presence of metabolically active cells.   This ready-to-use reagent is based on the original CellTiter-Glo® Luminescent Cell Viability Assay chemistry and eliminates the need to combine buffer with lyophilized substrate when preparing reagent. The CellTiter-Glo® 3D Cell Viability Assay is formulated with more robust lytic capacity and is designed for use with microtissues produced in 3D cell culture. The homogeneous assay procedure involves addition of a single reagent (CellTiter-Glo® 3D Reagent) directly to cells cultured in serum-supplemented medium. Cell washing, removal of medium and multiple pipetting steps are not required. This assay is compatible with multiwell-plate formats, making it ideal for automated high-throughput screening (HTS). The CellTiter-Glo® 3D Assay has been used successfully with 3D microtissue cell culture produced via hanging-drop plates, ultra-low attachment plates, Matrigel®-coated plates, agarose-coated plates, cultures suspended in methylcellulose and Alvetex® plates. Features & Benefits:   Robust Penetration into Microtissues - Improved lytic capacity allows use over a broad range of microtissue sizes compared to other viability assay methods. Ready-to-Use Reagent - No mixing of components required; simply thaw, equilibrate to room temperature and "add-mix-incubate-measure". Convenient for HTS applications. Fast Results - Data can be recorded in 30 minutes or less after adding reagent, quicker than when using colorimetric or fluorometric viability assays. Superior Sensitivity - The signal-to-background ratio of this assay applied to microtissues is much greater than that of standard colorimetric and fluorometric assays. Flexible Format - The assay can be used with various multiwell formats (96-well and regular or low-volume 384-well). Data can be recorded by luminometer, CCD camera or other imaging devices capable of reading luminescence in multiwell plates. Glow-Type Signal - Stable luminescent signal half-life >3 hours, depending on cell type and culture medium used, allows batch mode or consecutive processing of multiple plates. Applications: Cell viability assays with 3D microtissue cell culture or standard cell culture samples. Cytotoxicity assays with 3D microtissue cell culture or standard cell culture samples.

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Cell-Based AssaysCell-based assays are used to monitor the presence, quantity and activities of a desired cellular analyte including drug molecules or biomarkers. This can reveal information on cell health (apoptosis, cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation assays), cell metabolism, cell migration and cell signaling mechanisms. Find the best cell-based assay products, kits and equipment with our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receiving pricing direct from manufacturers.Automated Liquid HandlingAutomated liquid handling equipment is used to mix, dilute and dispense allotted volumes of liquid into microplates and other vessels automatically. The robotic, liquid handling arms can dispense from single channel to 3456 multichannel as well as operate nanoliter dispensing, enabling high throughput of samples. Find the best automated liquid handlers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Cell Lines Stem Cells and Primary CellsPrimary cell cultures, established cell lines and stem cells are vital for <i>in vitro</i> and <i>ex vivo</i> experimentation. High-quality cells, optimized for your applications, alongside optimized cell substrates, growth medium and supplements, are critical for experimental success. Explore a range of cells suitable for your applications, including isogenic cell lines, competent cells, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell lines, fungal/bacterial/mammalian cell lines, stem cells and cancer cell lines. Find the best cells for your research in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Cell ViabilityCell viability assays assess the health of cells and their ability to proliferate. These tests are crucial in drug development, toxicity testing, and cell-based research. Common methods for assessing viability include MTT, live/dead assays, and flow cytometry. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best tools for cell viability assays, compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Cancer CellsCancer cells are abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably, leading to the formation of tumors and the spread of cancer. Studying cancer cells is crucial for developing new treatments and understanding tumor biology. Explore cancer cell research products in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Drug DevelopmentDrug development refers to the process of bringing a new drug to market.AutomationAutomation in laboratories and manufacturing processes enhances efficiency, precision, and scalability by reducing the need for manual intervention. It plays a critical role in improving productivity, minimizing human error, and accelerating workflows in fields like diagnostics, drug development, and industrial testing. Automation technologies include robotic systems, automated liquid handlers, and process control systems that streamline complex tasks and ensure consistent, reproducible results. Explore our peer-reviewed product directory to discover the best automation solutions, compare options, read user reviews, and get prices directly from manufacturers.Liquid Handling WorkstationLiquid handling workstations automate the process of sample preparation, improving accuracy and efficiency. These systems are essential for high-throughput applications in biological, chemical, and pharmaceutical research, reducing human error and increasing reproducibility. Workstations come equipped with robotic arms, pipetting tools, and other accessories to streamline lab workflows. Explore liquid handling workstations in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Pathogen DetectionPathogen detection is the process of identifying harmful microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that can cause diseases. Accurate pathogen detection is critical for food safety, public health, and clinical diagnostics. Explore pathogen detection products in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Cell IncubationCell incubation involves maintaining controlled environmental conditions for growing and nurturing cells. It is essential for cell culture studies, drug testing, and regenerative medicine. Explore cell incubation solutions in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Drug DiscoveryDrug discovery is the process of identifying potential new medications, involving stages such as target identification, compound screening, and preclinical development. It relies on cutting-edge technologies like high-throughput screening, artificial intelligence, and molecular modeling to accelerate the identification of drug candidates. Drug discovery plays a pivotal role in developing new therapies for diseases ranging from cancer to rare genetic disorders. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the latest drug discovery technologies, compare options, check customer feedback, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Cell Based AssaysCell-based assays use living cells to measure biological responses to various treatments or stimuli. They are essential for drug discovery, toxicology testing, and understanding cellular mechanisms. These assays are used to assess cell viability, proliferation, gene expression, and other cellular activities. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best cell-based assay tools and reagents, compare products, read customer reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.