Automated high-resolution microscope platform with robotics to study pharmacodynamics in 3D cell cultures

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Cells in an animal are exposed to changes in their environment (biochemical signals, temperature, mechanical forces, light variations...). They have to interpret this information to adapt and respond appropriately. However, cells in an organism do not function in isolation - they are part of a complex three dimensional (3D) environment. The ability to experimentally recreate such environments and visualise individual cells within, and even subcellular organisation in 3D is therefore essential to study biological processes. Imaging technologies are developing fast to study individual cells in a multicellular environment including overtime, and science is progressing at a fast pace. To be able to image a large number of living samples simultaneously, we need fast, automated microscopes, which ensure high-quality images over time without the need for manual user input. We propose to purchase an easy-to-use microscope (Celldiscoverer 7, from Zeiss), which allows:1) Automated imaging of the biological processes in real-time2) High-quality imaging of 2D & 3D samples, fixed or living, without the need for specific or complex sample preparation3) Imaging in physiological conditions (controlled temperature, humidity, CO2, O2).The Celldiscoverer 7 is a versatile microscope, with multiple capabilities enabling fast imaging of fine structures in 2D and 3D samples. We will install it in the Liverpool Centre for Cell Imaging (CCI), an open-access shared facility with ~100 registered users/year, from academia and industry. The microscope will serve a breadth of science across the MRC remit.