Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched a series of advanced software and hardware modules to enhance the functionality of its HCS/HCA platform.
Three major software developments include the introduction of the Thermo Scientific HCSExplorer informatics software, new functionality of its BioApplications line of image analysis software, and expanded capability of its Thermo Scientific HCS Analysis Platform. Furthermore, the addition of a new Brightfield module for the Thermo Scientific Cellomics ArrayScan VTi provides scientists with increased assay flexibility adding white light imaging to its highly efficient fluorescent imaging capabilities.
The Thermo Scientific HCSExplorer is the next generation of HCS informatics software. HCSExplorer uses web-based technology to enable rapid and easy enterprise-wide data access and analysis. This innovative offering provides powerful analytical, data visualisation, and image comparison tools that can be used with any data store. HCSExplorer provides users with the ability to easily annotate data and customise reports thus facilitating collaborative decision-making.
The new Brightfield module for the Thermo Scientific Cellomics ArrayScan VTi allows researchers to perform HCS using white light. Combining this with existing fluorescent channels provides increased assay flexibility and enables scientists to significantly broaden their assay capabilities. This is especially important for toxicological live-cell assays, and novel formats (e.g. using stem cells, tissues or whole organisms).
BioApplications are image analysis algorithms that allow scientists to easily make complex measurements and are validated for a wide variety of biologies. New version 3 of Thermo Scientific BioApplications software has been significantly enhanced to measure larger image sizes and more objects within any given field. Additionally, a number of 'tool tips' such as the background correction in each channel and the ability to analyse objects on a high contrast background improves usability.
The new version 6.1 of Thermo Scientific HCS Analysis Platform provides improved image visualisation thanks to the addition of several new image display features. The advanced graphical user interface dramatically reduces training time, so research can commence almost immediately.
