U. Manchester Collaborates With Phasefocus

Following a successful funding application, staff at the University of Manchester, Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix Research, now own a Livecyte Cell Imaging and Analysis System by Phasefocus Ltd.

Livecyte is a unique quantitative label free cell analysis system that delivers continuous tracking and analysis of individual cells within large populations and multiple wells, enabling users to gain a more realistic and comprehensive understanding of cell behavior.

The system, located at the university’s Bioimaging Core facility, has been specifically designed to create an optimal environment for long term live cell assays, minimizing photoxicity and affording researchers the capabilities to compare normal and diseased cells in an increasingly natural environment.

The purchase of Livecyte heralds the start of a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Collaborative Awards in Science and Engineering (CASE) collaboration between the University of Manchester and Phasefocus, the Sheffield optical technology company who developed and manufacture the system. The BBSRC-funded program aims to reinforce links between academia and industry by utilizing existing academic resources to support and develop innovative ideas from small-to-medium businesses as a means of disseminating scientific knowledge to build best practice.

“Livecyte is the perfect system for long term imaging and will allow us to gain a better insight into how cells sense and communicate with their environment and how this impacts tissue formation in both healthy and diseased states,” said Christoph Ballestrem, academic lead for the bioimaging facility.

Phasefocus hopes to benefit from the expertise of the University’s Imaging Sciences group, headed by Professor Tim Cootes, in the development of algorithms to analyze the images.

BBSRC is one of seven U.K. research councils that work together as Research Councils UK. It is funded by the government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Phasefocus is a developer of imaging technology.