The xCELLigence Real-Time Cell Analyzer (RTCA) System from Roche Applied Science utilizes impedance read-out to noninvasively quantify cellular status in real-time. Several cell-based applications have been developed for the xCELLigence System so far. Among them are cellular quality control, cell proliferation or cytotoxicity. In a recent study (1) the xCELLigence System was used to evaluate the influence of serum deprivation on synchronization of the murine mesenchymal progenitor cell line MuSC-E8.
Synchronization of cells means arresting the cells in a specific phase of the cell cycle. In most approaches, cells are arrested in the G0 phase in order to allow reentering of the cell cycle from a state of quiescence (G0), and, under carefully defined experimental conditions, move simultaneously into subsequent phases of the cell cycle (i.e., G1, S).
Following starvation over a certain amount of time, the cell cycle can be reentered by supplying the culture medium with 10% FCS. Using the technology of the xCELLigence
System, the optimal time point for reentering the cell cycle of starved MuSC-E8 cells was determined.
According to the authors, the xCELLigence System represents a very useful tool for detailed description and optimization of individual cell culture conditions of progenitor cell lines. In particular, the synchronization of cell lines by quiescence through serum deprivation can be optimized much more efficiently and conveniently using the xCELLigence System than traditional techniques such as end point proliferation assay or measuring DNA content by flow cytometry.
For more information on the technology of the xCELLigence System, please visit xcelligence.roche.
Cathleen Pfefferkorn, Ulrike Scholz, Verena Veneruso, Thomas Nikolaus, Kairat Madin, Udo Eichenlaub, Andreas Schubert, and Jörg Lehmann (2008) Biochemica 4, pp 14-16.
About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As the world’s biggest biotech company and an innovator of products and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people’s health and quality of life. Roche is the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics and drugs for cancer and transplantation, and is a market leader in virology. It is also active in other major therapeutic areas such as autoimmune diseases, inflammatory and metabolic disorders and diseases of the central nervous system. In 2007 sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totalled 36.8 billion Swiss francs, and the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 9.3 billion francs. Roche has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai, and invested over 8 billion Swiss francs in R&D in 2007. Worldwide, the Group employs about 80,000 people. Additional information is available on the Internet at roche.
XCELLIGENCE is a trademark of Roche.
Source
Dr. Burkhard Ziebolz
Roche Diagnostics GmbH
Roche