Streamlining Cell Analysis Workflows for the Immuno-Oncology, Virology and Vaccine Development Markets

Agilent Technologies Inc has introduced an integrated solution that combines their xCELLigence RTCA HT platform with the BioTek BioSpa 8 Automated Incubator. This new development offers a higher level of workflow automation, allowing for the creation of label-free high-throughput potency assays for immuno-oncology and high-throughput viral cytopathic effects (CPE) assays for the vaccine market.

Pharmaceutical researchers in immuno-oncology and vaccine developers are seeking new ways to accelerate clinical success and respond to public health threats. While automated workflows offer the potential to increase drug candidate screening and improve the efficiency of research, many current solutions rely on manual steps that slow down throughput and restrict assay development. 

The integration of xCELLigence RTCA HT and BioSpa 8 offers a non-invasive, label-free kinetic readout of cell proliferation and cytotoxicity. With the ability to analyse up to eight 384-well E-Plates, this system increases throughput and reduces sample sizes. The BioSpa 8 provides real-time temperature and CO2/O2 control with humidity monitoring while the xCELLigence instrument is equipped with a heated cradle to protect cells from unnecessary perturbations during the automated transfer from the incubator. Automated assays and data analysis software make this a user-friendly, walk-away system for identifying disease-fighting therapeutics, offering a level of automation unique to this technology combination. 

“This is an innovative solution for immuno-oncology therapeutic and vaccine development, demonstrating Agilent’s ongoing commitment to fight cancer and infectious diseases,” said Todd Christian, Vice President and General Manager of Agilent’s Cell Analysis Division. “Integrating our non-invasive, and real-time cell analysis measurement capabilities and physiological incubation provides a simple, automated workflow for increased throughput and screening flexibility under physiological conditions.”

“The xCELLigence RTCA HT technology has been key to facilitating high-throughput, rapid, and quantitative cytopathic effect (CPE) monitoring as a tool to assess neutralising activity and potency,” said Dr Robert Carnahan, Associate Director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Center at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “We were able to bypass a multitude of hands-on, multistep processes required by plaque or focus-forming assays to measure viral activity.” 

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