Waters Corporation has introduced the Waters™ SELECT SERIES™ MRT, a high-resolution mass spectrometer that combines Multi Reflecting Time-of-Flight (MRT) technology with both enhanced DESI and new MALDI imaging sources. Together, these technologies enable scientists to explore molecular structure and function through the precise identification and localization of individual molecules in samples, with a unique combination of speed, resolution, and mass accuracy.

For example, a scientist researching how an investigational oncology drug interacts with its intended target, such as a specific brain tumour receptor, can now do so much faster, at speeds up to 10Hz without compromising mass accuracy or resolution.

The SELECT SERIES MRT platform is the basis for the next generation of Waters’ high-resolution mass spectrometers. It is the first commercially available instrument of its kind that is capable of attaining 200,000 Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) resolution and part-per-billion mass accuracy independent of scan speed. The superior performance of the SELECT SERIES MRT allows scientists to get the highest quality mass spectrometry data and information faster than any commercial mass spectrometer on the market todayⁱⁱ. The new Multi Reflecting Time-of-Flight technology features an extended flight path of almost 50 meters to give scientists a much clearer picture of structural information, including fine isotope structure.

“The Waters SELECT SERIES MRT opens the door to a greater understanding of molecules and their mechanisms of action in numerous scientific fields,” explained Dr. Udit Batra, CEO and President, Waters Corporation. “The clarity of images produced by this instrument can yield profoundly important molecular information to scientists in research areas such as targeted therapeutics, to provide insights and enable deep biological discoveries.”

DESI XS and MALDI imaging on a single MRT platform

The first application of the SELECT SERIES MRT unlocks the potential of MS imaging using DESI and MALDI ionization. DESI is a direct-from-sample, soft ionization technique performed under ambient environmental conditions, requiring no prior sample preparation. It provides imaging information about the biochemical distribution of small molecule drugs, lipids, and naturally occurring metabolites within a slice of tissue or on other sample surfaces after just a single measurement. Scientists are applying DESI to research breast and ovarian cancer, to study drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), to investigate the function of key metabolites in natural products in traditional medicines, and to get a closer look at the biotransformation of bacterial colonies after gene modifications.

Featuring a new high-performance sprayer and a heated transfer line, the advanced DESI XS source delivers new levels of usability, image clarity and sensitivity at high speed, bringing more accessible imaging to scientists through mass spectrometry data.

For scientists interested in conducting MALDI imaging experiments, the SELECT SERIES MRT is available with a newly designed MALDI source. MALDI is an ideal complementary technique for the imaging of biological molecules such as peptides and can visualize tissue sections at spatial resolutions of less than 10 microns. Taken together, the combination of imaging sources gives researchers the means to generate fine spatial information and morphological detail for biological samples and even visualize brain vasculature.

Customer shipments of the SELECT SERIES MRT are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year.

• For more information, visit: waters.com

CytoSMART Technologies has launched two new fluorescence live-cell imaging systems – the Lux3 FL Duo Kit and the Multi Lux3 FL. The CytoSMART Lux3 FL Duo Kit is a compact and cost-effective imaging system consisting of two fluorescence microscopes, designed for side-by-side comparison of cell cultures. The CytoSMART Multi Lux3 FL fluorescence live-cell imaging system consists of four compact Lux3 FL devices, equipped with two fluorescent (green and red) and one brightfield channel, and designed for long-term comparative studies and larger research teams.

Both systems operate from within a standard CO2-incubator or hypoxia chamber, allowing to analyse cells in their desired culture environment. Each system of two and four microscopes is connected to a single laptop, maximizing precious laboratory space. Monitoring and analysis of the running experiments can be done at any time from anywhere via the CytoSMART Cloud.

Jan-Willem van Bree, CTO at CytoSMART Technologies, said: “Last year we launched our first fluorescence live-cell imager, the CytoSMART Lux3 FL, and our customers were pleased with its performance and expanded research possibilities. This year we decided to scale up fluorescence live-cell imaging possibilities by launching two new advanced systems: the Lux3 FL Duo Kit and the Multi Lux3 FL. We always aim to develop and offer versatile and flexible solutions to life scientists. For example, the Multi Lux3 FL allows to run up to four individual imaging experiments simultaneously, without affecting the time-lapse imaging experiments of other lab members. This is a very convenient lab equipment for every research group that studies cell viability, co-culture models, single-cell migration, and many other cell-based assays can benefit from it.”

The main features and benefits of the CytoSMART fluorescence live-cell imaging systems include:

• Ideal for comparative studies– directly compare fluorescently-labeled cell cultures.
• Versatile – expand the number of variables you can examine using fluorescent labelling.
• Flexible – connect devices to the same laptop and control them individually.
• Incubator-friendly – study cells in their desired culture environment.
• Full remote access via the CytoSMART Cloud – no need to enter the lab to inspect cell cultures.
• Indispensable tool for long-term comparative studies – run up to four experiments simultaneously for days or weeks.
• Cost-effective and efficient solution – two or four fluorescence imaging devices connected to one laptop, including unlimited storage and unlimited number of user accounts.

 

• For more information, see the CytoSMART Lux3 FL Duo Kit
  and the CytoSMART Multi Lux3 FL.

 

Bio-Rad Laboratories has introduced three StarBright dyes designed for flow cytometry applications.

StarBright Violet 570, 670, and 710 dyes offer improved brightness and precise excitation and emission spectra, making them suitable for use in multicolour flow cytometry panels. Bio-Rad’s line of StarBright dyes offers researchers a range of fluorescent nanoparticles conjugated to highly validated flow antibodies.

“The new StarBright dyes offer improved brightness when compared to other available dyes at similar wavelengths, and they may be used with a wide range of flow cytometers,” said Mike Blundell, PhD, Bio-Rad Product Manager, Flow Cytometry, Life Science Group. “The unique profile of the dyes offers enhanced resolution of rare populations and low-density antigens as well as consistent and reproducible staining.”

Key benefits of StarBright dyes

• Compatible with new and existing protocols and suitable for use in multiplex panels
• Resistant to photobleaching and highly stable with minimal lot-to-lot variation
• Offer reliable Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) for reproducible data
• Work with common staining buffers, including special polymer dye staining buffers, for easy integration into multicolour panels
• Ensure no loss of signal in fixation
• Offer narrow excitation and emission profiles for improved resolution in new and existing multicolour flow cytometry experiments

The StarBright Dyes are compatible with Bio-Rad’s ZE5 Cell Analyzer, S3e Cell Sorter, and other conventional and spectral flow cytometers.

• For more information, visit: www.bio-rad-antibodies.com/starbright

3Brain AG has introduced a new technology based on a unique combination of microchips and AI that promises to change the way drug candidates are selected at the preclinical level to enter into clinical trials – and to maximize their chances of success.

Using CorePlate™ technology, preclinical cell assays are performed in multiwell plates that integrate a microchip in each well to collect rich information from cells, pre-process cell data and streamline it to the paired software. As a result, much more and better data can be extracted, which can be referred to as cell big data. This is fed to an AI with the aim of simplifying interpretation and enabling researchers to discover more information about drugs being tested.

Preclinical studies are vital for early identification of any safety and efficacy issues, and for increasing the chance of success of those drugs entering clinical trials. However, common estimates show that there is still a lot to improve in this area as 90% of the drugs that enter into human trials fail. Among the factors responsible for this high failure rate are the limitations of conducting preclinical tests on animal models. The vast majority of drugs that pass tests on animals do not later work on humans because disease mechanisms vary significantly between species.

New biotechnologies like human stem cells offer more successful alternatives to animal models. These may be in the form of cell culture assays or more sophisticated spheroid and organoid assays that can be used as testbeds for drugs. Human cell-based assays hold the promise to revolutionize drug development, improving the success rate and pushing animal tests towards extinction.

Whatever cell-based assay one wants to investigate, traditional approaches extract cell information via optical systems or a few sensors embedded in plastic substrates. Typically, these substrates are multiwell plates with 24, 96 or even more wells, where each well houses the cell samples to be measured. From these wells, the acquired information travels on limited bandwidth across long distances (compared to the cell size) before reaching a CPU where it gets processed. Long distances and bandwidth issues affect the quality and quantity of information and, consequently, prevent an accurate inspection of cell networks. The CorePlate technology devised by 3Brain disrupts this paradigm by bringing the processing unit in contact with the cells.

“We want to radically change the way preclinical drug screening is performed, offering pharmaceutical companies the opportunity to manage their pipelines more efficiently,” says Mauro Gandolfo, CEO and co-founder of 3Brain AG. “Basically, we take traditional plastic multiwell plates and we turn them into intelligent devices with multi-core processing power, which can be programmed according to research needs. Integrated intelligence is a remarkable distinction from other instruments in the preclinical space. Importantly, despite the large amounts of data CorePlate devices can process, the user can still easily generate results thanks to the AI-driven interpretation of data. With the CorePlate technology, pharmaceutical companies can save time and money by better filtering and prioritizing drug candidates. Our ultimate goal is to provide our users with tools that help them more readily identify new cures for diseases.”

• For more information, visit: 3brain.com