Submitted by S.A. Norwood on Tue, 16/09/2025 - 11:37
Testers wanted! Local start-up CCA.BIO are looking for collaborators working with live cell imaging to test their environmentally-controlled microscope prototype.
Microscope Information
We’ve developed a fully autonomous live cell imaging microscope with an integrated environmental control chamber, designed to simplify and automate cell culture imaging. It can house a single SBS plate or up to a 100 mm Petri dish and currently supports brightfield and darkfield transmission imaging, with fluorescence and other modalities in development. Users can design custom imaging schedules, run the system remotely via a local network, or integrate it into their lab workflow through our well-documented API. Alternatively, it can be used as a standalone instrument with a keyboard, mouse, and monitor. The optical system achieves 750 nm resolving power.
Technical details: 360 × 360 × 360 mm footprint, 10 kg weight, powered by a standard mains outlet. Network connectivity via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
What Are We Looking For?
We’re inviting researchers to grow cells in our microscope and capture their growth process. Our goal is real-world validation: how well does the microscope perform in active labs, how it fits into daily workflows, and what future features would make it even more useful. We’re especially eager for feedback on imaging modalities, environmental controls, and post-processing algorithms.
Benefits of Collaboration
As a collaborator, you’ll gain early access to what we believe is cutting-edge automation for biological labs. Key advantages include:
- Save time and resources: Run cell culture assays on a single plate instead of preparing triplicates for separate imaging sessions.
- Automated flexibility: Capture images every hour, record time-lapses of specific regions, and schedule imaging overnight or on weekends without manual intervention.
- End-to-end automation: Combine automated image acquisition with automated post-processing to streamline your entire workflow.
- We’re offering collaborators the use of the microscope for an agreed trial period, along with the opportunity to help shape its future development.