High-Content Screening

High-Throughput and High-Content Screening by DHM® is a label-free image-based solution providing quantitative information. It enables fully automated primary and secondary screenings in standard multi-well plates with hit validation, and dose response curves (EC 50).

Strictly non-invasive and label-free quantitative image based measurement

  • Population averaging measurement
  • Capability of single-cell measurement

 Unrivaled short screening time

  • Two minutes  for one complete 96 wells plate
  • Digital auto-focusing

System compatible with standard 6 to 384  well imaging plates

Scanning of 384 wells plate

Investigation of a wide range of cellular processes by DHM® has been demonstrated by publications, e.g. cytotoxicity, cell proliferation and migration, mode of action, cytoskeleton agent inhibitor, genotoxicity and profiling, shape and structure measurements, as well as GPCR signaling. It is compatible with extensive pharmacology studies. Moreover, these cellular processes can be studied on each cell within the same well. All the measurements are available from a single data set [Pavillon 2012].

Long term time-lapse measurements are possible with DHM® thanks to unrivaled screening speed and strictly non-invasive and label-free imaging. This makes it a unique system that shall become a standard equipment in every laboratory in a near future.

Experimental protocols are simplified and well defined. DHM® does not require multiple experiments with various labels. It simplifies experimental protocols and enables to perform screening assays that would be time consuming with alternative methods. High specificity using well defined protocols has been demonstrated by scientific publications [Kuhn 2013, Rappaz 2014].

High-Throughput and High-Content Screening solution combines a transmission DHM®, a motorized XYZ stage, a sample platform adapted to standard well plates format, and a specific software for automation. An optional fluorescence module enables you to compare DHM® measurements with your reference fluorescence assays, or for single cell analysis after segmentation. Output data are compatible with Cell Profiler software for more extensive detailed analysis.

DHM® solution is adopted for an increasing number of High-Content and Throughput-Screening applications in pharmaceutical companies and research facilities. It enables to accelerate new drugs discovery. Getting faster results decreases your research costs and enhance the publications of your innovative research to support new funds rising.

Increase efficiency of your screenings

  • Measure more data points per day
  • Perform non-invasive time-lapse screening
  • Perform assays too complex for conventional systems
  • Perform easier cell segmentation for faster and easier data analysis
  • Make repeated measurements without washout since each well can be its own control
  • Analyze simultaneously many different cellular processes with a single system

Decrease your running costs

  • Use less resources for assays preparation
  • Use standard imaging plate
  • Do not use labeling agent
  • Simplify your experimental protocol
  • No need to change mediums and to washout

Image Based High-Throughput and High-Content-Screening by DHM® is not only a very competitive solution when speed and cost are relevant, or when time-lapse screening is required. It also enables many types of data analysis from a single measurement: cell viability and apoptosis pathway, toxicity, drug efficiency, morphology, etc. It has significant advantages for many applications compared to alternative systems.

  • Epifluorescence
  • Confocal Microscopy

DHM® vs. Alternative non-labeled techniques

DHM®  is the only image-based label-free and quantitative technique available. It enables to study single cells and therefore provides good specificity using well defined protocols. Alternative non-labeled techniques require in most cases specific cell cultures with high degree of confluence and use of proprietary well plates. It only provides average values limiting their versatility.

One of the key feature of DHM® is its unique digital focalization. It enables to retrieve a sharp focus without time consuming vertical positioning adjustment of the samples. This enables unrivaled screening speed. An additional advantage is that focalization can be performed after acquisition, reducing the risk of losing an important set of data due to bad vertical adjustment.
With multiple measurements in a single acquisition, short screening time and low running costs, DHM is a very attractive solution.

  Features DHM®
Alternative non-labeled techniques
Quantitative methods
Non-quantitative methods
Image based
Multiple biological interpretation
Specificity +  –
Digital focalization
Measurement speed ++
Compatibility with standard well plates  
Low running costs  

DHM® vs. Fluorescence image based techniques

DHM® is a strictly non-invasive technique. In one hand,  it is a label-free technique. On the other hand DHM® uses non-focused and low power laser illumination, preventing phototoxicity. It enables bias-free screening, and long time-lapse experiments.
One of the key feature of DHM® is its unique digital focalization. It enables to retrieve a sharp focus without time consuming vertical positioning adjustment of the samples. This enables unrivaled screening speed. An additional advantage is that focalization can be performed after acquisition, reducing the risk of losing an important set of data as a consequence of bad vertical adjustment. This key feature enables also to measure cells in 3D gels.
The absence of labeling reduces preparation time and running costs and makes DHM® a very attractive solution.

 Features DHM® Fluorescence imaging
Epifluorescence
Confocal
Label-free
Digital focalization
Measurement speed + +
Time-lapse screening +
Compatibility with standard well plates
Low running costs

DHM® provides a solution for several applications of High-Content and High-Throughput-Screening.

Primary Screening

  • Cytoxcicity
  • Mode of action profiling
  • GPCR signaling
  • Cytoskeleton agent inhibitor profiling
  • Genotoxicity profiling
  • ŸShape and structure measurements

Secondary Screening

  • Hit validation
    • Dose response
    • Time-lapse (measure kinetics and time of onset)

Time Lapse

  • Cell proliferation assays
  • Cell migration assays