초록 ▼

The present invention provides systems, methods, screens, reagents and kits for optical system analysis of cells to rapidly determine the distribution, environment, or activity of fluorescently labeled reporter molecules in cells for the purpose of screening large numbers of compounds for those that

The present invention provides systems, methods, screens, reagents and kits for optical system analysis of cells to rapidly determine the distribution, environment, or activity of fluorescently labeled reporter molecules in cells for the purpose of screening large numbers of compounds for those that specifically affect particular biological functions.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An automated method for cell based toxin detection, classification, and/or identification comprising:providing an array of locations containing multiple cells to be treated with a test substance, wherein the cells possess at least a first luminescent reporter molecule comprising a detector, where

1. An automated method for cell based toxin detection, classification, and/or identification comprising:providing an array of locations containing multiple cells to be treated with a test substance, wherein the cells possess at least a first luminescent reporter molecule comprising a detector, wherein the detector detects a toxin present in the test substance, and a second luminescent reporter molecule selected from the group consisting of a classifier or an identifier, wherein the classifier detects a toxin present in the test substance and identifies a cell pathway affected by a toxin present in the test substance, and the identifier detects a toxin present in the test substance and identifies a specific toxin or group of toxins present in the test substance; contacting the cells with the test substance either before or after possession of the first and second luminescent reporter molecules by the cells; wherein the localization, distribution, structure, or activity of the first and second luminescent reporter molecule is modified when the cell is contacted with a toxin present in the test substance, imaging or scanning multiple cells in each of the locations containing multiple cells to obtain luminescent signals from the detector; converting the luminescent signals from the detector into digital data; utilizing the digital data from the detector to automatically measure the localization, distribution, structure or activity of the detector on or in the cell, wherein a change in the localization, distribution, structure or activity of the detector indicates the presence of a toxin in the test substance; selectively imaging or scanning the locations containing cells that were contacted with test sample indicated to have a toxin in it to obtain luminescent signals from the second reporter molecule; converting the luminescent signals from the second luminescent reporter molecule into digital data; utilizing the digital data from the second luminescent reporter molecule to automatically measure the localization, distribution, structure, or activity of the classifier or the identifier on or in the cell, wherein a change in the localization, distribution, structure or activity of the classifier identifies a cell pathway that is perturbed by the toxin present in the test substance, or wherein a change in the localization, distribution, structure or activity of the identifier identifies the a specific toxin or group of toxins that are present in the test substance.