calScreener™-FAQ

1. What types of cellular responses can be measured using calScreener™?

All types of changes in the cellular metabolism can be monitored since calScreener™ gives a measurement of the combined changes in metabolic rate. A majority of cellular processes such as cell death and cell proliferation affects the cellular metabolism to a large degree. More subtle processes such as cell signaling also give rise to changes in metabolic turnover. The use of a calorimetric methodology to detect major, as well as, subtle cellular events is a well established methodology. The SymCel calScreener™ is a high sensitivity, easy to use calorimeter designed for cell biological work, opening up a new set of opportunities for research scientists and drug development.

2. What are the advantages of using a label-free analysis over traditional analysis?

SymCel calScreener™ uses no label –no additives.
This results in faster assay development and cost savings since there are no reagents involved. The assay maintains the native environment of the cell and errors introduced by additions of antibodies or other reagents are avoided. The use of heat production measurement to monitor cell metabolism is also a non-destructive method facilitating further downstream analysis of cells for e.g. RNA expression levels. There is no need to have prior knowledge of a specific drug-target or the involved pathways or reaction mechanism.

 

3. What does ‘Real-Time Data’ mean for the analysis?

Many of the current available cell-biological analysis technologies depend on ‘end-point’ measurements where data is derived from a specific time point (e.g. reporter gene assays). calScreener™ collects a continuous data-stream facilitating research of kinetic behavior such as cell growth or apoptosis. The continuous read-out makes it easier to find the interesting time-points for measuring cellular events.

4. What cell types can be analyzed by the CalScreener™?

The instrument was initially developed to analyze adherent eukaryotic cells but may be used for any cell type suspended or adherent, including bacterial cells and yeast.

5. What can SymCel technology do for toxicology?

Using a suitable cell-model calScreener™ is suitable for toxicology applications. The most common experiment would involve the comparison of the metabolic response of a novel compound with different know toxicological standards.

 

6. Is CalScreener™ available as a commercial product? (May 2010)

calScreener™ is currently being tested by a select number of labs to obtain user feedback and peer-reviewed scientific publications. The goal is to be able to offer a fully commercial product by Q4 2010.

7. How can I contact you?

If you have further questions, contact us a line at info@symcel.se