Live-Cell Imaging and Analytical Modeling of Cortical Neurons Using High-Content Screening System

초록

Live-cell imaging serves as a critical tool for investigating neurodevelopmental disorders by enabling real-time observation of neuronal dynamics. This study characterizes the morphological analysis capabilities and optimization techniques of a high-content screening (HCS) imaging system. The HCS imaging system provides an integrated solution for real-time tracking, observation, and analysis of morphological changes and signaling pathways in living cells. Equipped with a high-speed spinning disk confocal unit and a high-sensitivity sCMOS camera, it minimizes phototoxicity while offering improved temporal and spatial resolution, ensuring high-quality imaging. With magnification ranging from 4x to 60x, the system captures dynamic changes from large-scale cellular morphology to subtle subcellular organelle structures. Specialized modules for neurite growth and cell cycle analysis enhance in-depth neurobiological and cellular studies, broadening the system’s applicability. Capable of imaging up to 96 samples simultaneously over extended periods, it serves as an efficient tool for high-throughput screening of diverse cellular components. User-friendly software simplifies the research workflow, supporting efficient image acquisition and processing. The "Brain Research Core Facilities" at the KBRI utilizes the HCS system to facilitate advanced multidimensional imaging, including neuronal morphogenesis and subcellular microstructural analysis. By optimizing the morphological imaging analysis modules, our team aims to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms and correlations underlying brain function and various brain disease models.