Facilities

Advanced Live Cell Imaging

Our Live Cell Imaging Facility is a hub for dynamic, real-time cellular analysis, equipped with state-of-the-art technologies designed to observe living cells in action. This facility enables researchers to capture time-resolved cellular processes. The ability to monitor live cells over extended periods opens up new dimensions in understanding cellular behavior, interactions, and responses in physiologically relevant conditions.

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Photo credits: Bosch Health Campus, Photographer: Akshay Kanakan

Cancer cells respond to specific external and internal signals such as chemotherapy, growth factors, cytokines and cell stress. The effects of those signals can be observed not only molecularly, but also phenotypically via live cell microscopy. For example, we can view how tumor cells migrate, proliferate, die, change their morphology or distribution of important subcellular located proteins. Importantly, by constantly monitoring cells, we can investigate the timing and kinetics of changes (e.g., induction of cell death, migration, etc.).

With the help of our Live Cell Imaging facility, we can observe these behaviors and investigate new signaling pathways in cancer cells.

Migration tracking

Imaging of PDAC cells over time reveals that the used treatment induces migration.  

 

Application

Proliferation assay

  • We can monitor cell number, division frequency, etc. in response to therapeutic interventions.

Apoptosis assay

  • Apoptosis is the process of cell death, which is frequently induced in response to chemotherapy and other treatments. By using fluorescent substrates for caspase proteins we can monitor the induction of apoptosis in living cells in a time resolved manner.

Migration assay

  • A migration assay is used to study the movement of cells in response to various stimuli, such as growth factors or drugs to explore mechanisms involved in metastasis.

High-resolution, multi-color fluorescence imaging

  • Fluorescent reporter measurements: Genetically engineered cells express fluorescent tags on therapeutically relevant markers, which can be used as a readout for drug efficacy.
  • Imaging of dynamic cellular processes: Quantitative analysis of drug responses and cellular phenotypes and subcellular occupancy of fluorescent labeled proteins can be tracked.

Organoid and 3D culture dynamics

Equipment

Leica Thunder Imager LIVE CELL

Sartorius, Incucyte S3- Live-Cell-Imager S3/SX1 G/R

The system is available to all research groups. Instrument access is granted following user training and under guidance of experienced researchers. For further information, user training, or assistance in experimental design, please contact:

PD Dr. rer. nat. Frank Essmann
Group Leader
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Dr. rer. nat. Sven Beyes
Group Leader
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