system | Biometrology

nanoAnalytics has launched the next generation of impedance-based cell monitoring systems, the cellZscope2. Today, across several hundred research laboratories and peer-reviewed publications worldwide, investigators have adopted the cellZscope as the new technological standard bearer and preferred market leader. As the original innovator of label-free automated monitoring of barrier forming cells grown in standard cell culture inserts, nanoAnalytics has designed the new cellZscope2 with the same precision engineering and highest quality materials as the original cellZscope — with a number of enhanced features added. These include faster performance, higher throughput, greater measurement flexibility, and instrument operations and maintenance that are truly a snap.

cellZscope2®

cellZscope systems measure the impedance of barrier-forming cell cultures. Specifically, the transepithelial / transendothelial resistance (TER) and the capacitance (C,I) are monitored automatically over days and weeks on up to 24 cell layers held under physiological conditions. These and other features have made the cellZscope the ideal tool for controlling the confluence of cell layers as well as studying the influence of biologically active compounds on the barrier function. With its innovative design the cellZscope offers full compatibility with standard cell culture inserts from all major manufacturers, like Corning Transwell / Falcon, Greiner Bio-One ThinCert, and Millipore Millicell.

Top performance — a question of speed and accuracy

The completely redesigned measuring electronics make the cellZscope2 faster. New performance benchmarks in both temporal resolution and measurement precision have been achieved. The cellZscope2 is able to acquire full spectra on 24 wells in less than 5 minutes —providing the fastest, most comprehensive and accurate impedance readouts. Accurate high-speed impedance measurements combined with reliable long-term cell layer monitoring automated over the span of hours, days and weeks.

Exceptional ease of use — no cabling, just docking

General handling and accessing of the insert wells during experiments are a snap with the cellZscope2. The handy new Docking Station allows the Cell Module to be moved easily from the incubator to a laminar flow hood with no cables to unplug. This enhanced mobility facilitates hassle-free handling before, during and after the experiment.

Hardware

Maximum flexibility — don't stick to one size

cellZscope systems can be loaded with up to 24 inserts simultaneously. Three well sizes are available for use with small ("24-well" type), mid-sized ("12-well" type), or large ("6-well" type) inserts, respectively. The newly designed Cell Module for the cellZscope2 features 24 individual (stand-alone) stainless steel wells. This allows the user to combine different well sizes within one Cell Module, measuring simultaneously and comparing cell layers grown on small, mid-sized, or large inserts in a single experiment.

Easy to clean — sustainable and effortless

The new electrode design makes cleaning very easy. Single-piece stainless steel "pots" serve as bottom electrodes, as vessels for holding the cell culture medium, and as supports for cell culture inserts. They can be detached easily without the use of tools. The top electrodes are magnetically attached to the lid allowing fast and simple detachment. All stainless steel electrodes and the entire Cell Module lid are autoclavable with no further disassembly required. These new features make the cellZscope2 a snap to clean and sterilize. No additional device-specific disposables are required, keeping customer operating costs at a minimum.

Different sizes of cell culture inserts can now be combined within a single Cell Module. Thus allowing the automated monitoring and direct comparison of the barrier properties of cell layers housed in up to three different sized cell culture inserts.

Software

Up-to-date — new software

The latest version of the cellZscope software features advanced multi-channel data acquisition with ultrafast data processing. The user interface is highly intuitive providing the user complete digital control of the experiment. Other features of the cellZscope software include visualization of raw data acquisition in real time, comprehensive documentation of all experiment parameters and notes, and powerful offline data processing. User-friendly functions for exporting cellZscope data into popular file formats are included.