Long-term imaging of calcium dynamics using genetically encoded calcium indicators and automatic tracking of cultured cells

Comprehensive review of indicators and techniques for optical mapping of intracellular calcium ions

Calcium ions (Ca2+) play crucial roles in almost every cellular process, making the detection of changes in intracellular Ca2+ essential to understanding cell function. The fluorescence indicator method has garnered widespread application due to its exceptional sensitivity, rapid analysis, cost-effectiveness, and user-friendly nature. It has successfully delineated the spatial and temporal dynamics of Ca2+ signaling across diverse cell types. However, it is vital to understand that different indicators have varying levels of accuracy, sensitivity, and stability, making choosing the right inspection method crucial. As optical detection technologies advance, they continually broaden the horizons of scientific inquiry. This primer offers a systematic synthesis of the current fluorescence indicators and optical imaging modalities utilized for the detection of intracellular Ca2+. It elucidates their practical applications and inherent limitations, serving as an essential reference for researchers seeking to identify the most suitable detection methodologies for their calcium-centric investigations.

An Open-Source Framework for Automated High-Throughput Cell Biology Experiments

Modern data analysis methods, such as optimization algorithms or deep learning have been successfully applied to a number of biotechnological and medical questions. For these methods to be efficient, a large number of high-quality and reproducible experiments needs to be conducted, requiring a high degree of automation. Here, we present an open-source hardware and low-cost framework that allows for automatic high-throughput generation of large amounts of cell biology data. Our design consists of an epifluorescent microscope with automated XY stage for moving a multiwell plate containing cells and a perfusion manifold allowing programmed application of up to eight different solutions. Our system is very flexible and can be adapted easily for individual experimental needs. To demonstrate the utility of the system, we have used it to perform high-throughput Ca2+ imaging and large-scale fluorescent labeling experiments.