Project

Universal multi-mode microplate reader for 2D and 3D cell culture applications

Code
bof/bas/2025/083
Duration
01 December 2025 → 30 November 2027
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Analytical separation and detection techniques
    • Spectroscopic methods
    • Analytical biochemistry
    • Energy metabolism
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Molecular biophysics
    • Tissue engineering
Keywords
Fluorescence Cell metabolism Microplate reader Oxygen Hypoxia Phosphorescence Bioenergetics 3D cell cultures
 
Project description

There is a growing need in high-throughput screening assays of 2D/3D cell culture, probing cell viability, biosensor-based imaging, quantifying biomolecules and their spectra, kinetic assays and developing new analytical methods. We intend to purchase the multi-mode fluorescence and time-resolved fluorescence microplate reader, for installation in the Cell and Tissue Culture (CTC2) Core, The Core building, UZ Gent campus. This microplate reader will: (1) expand the sample throughput and capacities of the 10+ research groups using the CTC2 core; (2) enable new assay technologies, such as live monitoring under controlled O2 levels (hypoxia), assessment of cell energy budget (oxygen consumption rate, extracellular acidification rate, total ATP with various modes of normalisation); (3) support the research of Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials group as well as the other teams working with biomaterial hydrogel-encapsulated cells and tissues under controlled O2 and pH conditions.