New system enables advanced analysis of live cell cultures with high-definition, high-speed 3D imaging

Yokogawa Electric Corporation has announced the introduction of the CQ3000, a high-content analysis system for capturing high-definition 3D microscopic images of live cell cultures. Expanding the company’s CellVoyager™ family of products, the CQ3000 will be launched commercially later in 2024.

The CQ3000 has been designed to capture 3D microscopic images of live cell cultures in high definition at high speed. When used together with Yokogawa’s CellPathfinder image analysis software, the CQ3000 can quantify and analyze intracellular organelles to assess cellular reactions and the effects of drug compounds. It enables highly efficient evaluation of cells in a wide range of applications, from basic research to drug discovery screening.

Hiroshi Nakao, Vice President and head of the Life Business Headquarters at Yokogawa Electric, commented: “The CQ3000 is an enhancement to the CellVoyager series lineup that will accelerate the development of new drugs and streamline basic research in cutting-edge biology and medicine. Through the provision of products and solutions that contribute to drug discovery research and the advancement of individualized medicine and regenerative medicine, Yokogawa’s aims to ensure well-being and quality of life for all.”

About CQ3000

High-definition observation of living cells over long time periods

The CQ3000 enables the stable and precise observation of live cell cultures over long time periods thanks to Yokogawa's high-precision temperature control and dual spinning-disk with microlens that captures optical slice images (confocal images) with higher speed and better sensitivity, which minimizes damage to cells compared to other confocal systems on the market.

High speed screening

The CQ3000 can capture images of microplates at high speed thanks to enhancements to its stage control and auto-focus functions. When used in combination with optional dual camera and wide-field image capture feature, which uniformly captures the entire field of view, image capture time is reduced. This product enables the high-speed selection of promising chemical compounds from vast numbers of new drug candidates.

High image quality

By using Yokogawa’s proprietary water immersion lens mechanism, in addition to detailed observation at high magnification levels, it is also possible to capture bright images at low magnification levels. The use of an optional uniformizer achieves even illumination across the entire field of view, for the capture of vivid images.

About High-content analysis

High-content analysis (HCA) systems are widely used in new drug discovery to identify promising chemical responses by screening entire libraries of candidate compounds. In recent years, there has been a rising demand for advanced, high-speed screening systems that can extract and analyze large volumes of data from high-definition cell images using conventional image processing and deep learning. There is also an increasing need to speed up the drug discovery process by automating and accelerating screening operations.

About CellVoyager

CellVoyager is Yokogawa’s HCA system solution. To suit customers’ requirements, optimum solutions that combine cell observation devices (CV8000, CQ1, CQ3000) and image analysis software (CellPathfinder) can be provided.

These HCA systems enable high-speed screening, and are comprised of a confocal scanner unit for the real-time observation of living cells and a drive mechanism for the high-speed observation of large numbers of samples that was developed based on precision positioning technology originally used on semiconductor and LCD production lines. Their high-speed screening, high resolution, and ability to capture images as chemical compounds are administered (for the observations of changes to cells) are highly regarded, and they have helped to accelerate the development of new drugs and streamline basic research processes in cutting edge biology and medical fields.

About Yokogawa

Yokogawa provides advanced solutions in the areas of measurement, control, and information to customers across a broad range of industries, including energy, chemicals, materials, pharmaceuticals, and food. Yokogawa addresses customer issues regarding the optimization of production, assets, and the supply chain with the effective application of digital technologies, enabling the transition to autonomous operations.

Founded in Tokyo in 1915, Yokogawa continues to work toward a sustainable society through its 17,000+ employees in a global network of 129 companies spanning 60 countries.