Acquifer IM
Acquifer IM
Acquifer IM (Imaging Machine) is a fully automated widefield microscope with data storage and processing capabilities ideal for high-content screening assays and phenotypic screening for small-model organisms. Its static sample holder with a mobile optical unit ensures sample stability during imaging, making it ideal for imaging motion-sensitive samples, such as non-adherent cell cultures or embryos.
High-Content Screening
The Acquifer IM is a high-performance solution for screening and high-throughput imaging assays and is compatible with all commonly available multi-well plates (adaptions possible). A host of unique features include built-in temperature regulation, a robotic lid, and an open interface for seamless integration into automated workflows. Its comprehensive data storage and processing integrations are ideal for researchers performing high-content or phenotypic screening.
The software and workflow enable low-magnification pre-screen data of a full microtiter plate to be readily visualized in the Plate-Viewer software. Different tools and matching algorithms enable the selection of regions of interest (ROIs) for each well and robust autolocalization of target structures for feedback microscopy.
Acquifer IM is optimized for your high-throughput experiments with:
- Optimal imaging conditions for sensitive specimens and long-term observations
- Uniblock optical design moves to your sample while your sample remains stationary
- Built-in temperature control (20 to 40°C) ± 0.5°C homogeneity over whole plate and over time
Zebrafish Imaging
The Acquifer IM is ideally suited for high-throughput screening of zebrafish, an important preclinical model to study development, disease, and molecular and drug screening. The combination of a static sample holder, a mobile optical unit, and built-in temperature regulation ensures specimen stability during imaging.
Organoid Imaging
Acquifer IM provides invaluable insights into cellular structures and dynamic processes, such as tissue morphogenesis, differentiation, and biophysics. With the ability to conduct high-throughput screenings, it supports the study of developing organoids in combination with advanced genome editing techniques and tissue sections.
Other Applications
Specifications
| Objective | Magnification | Numerical Aperture | Working Distance |
| CFI P-Achromat UW2X | 2x | 0.06 | 7.5 |
| CFI Plan Fluor4X | 4x | 0.13 | 17.2 |
| CFI Plan Fluor10X | 10x | 0.3 | 16.0 |
| CFI S P-Fluor ELWD20xC | 20x | 0.45 | 8.2-6.9 |
| CFI S P-Fluor ELWD40xC | 40x | 0.6 | 3.6-2.8 |
IM Dimensions: 553mm (21.77") H x 528mm (20.79") W x 555mm (21.85") D
Photomanipulation
The photomanipulation module was developed in collaboration with Rapp Optoelectronic, Wedel, Germany, who has over 20 years of experience in high-performance photomanipulation and advanced light microscopy techniques.
Its robust design enables researchers to perform advanced experiments with ease. Full datasets of entire microplates can be annotated and subsequently automatically photomanipulated without further user interaction. This enables large scale photomanipulation for various biomedical assays.
The module is an optional hardware upgrade allowing researchers to easily scale-up complex photomanipulation experiments such as photodamaging of cells and tissues, switch convertible fluorophores, uncage compounds or perform optogenetic activation.
Plate-Viewer
Plate-Viewer is the visualization software for data acquired with the Acquifer IM. The user interface and design allow for intuitive working with datasets, such as overviews of screening data, inspection of individual images and functionalities to adjust channels-display, save data visualizations or time-lapse movies.
Both the system and Plate-Viewer have an open interface that enables automated workflows and feedback-microscopy functionalities.
- Conversion and export of images: Export of single z-planes, z-projections, z-stacks or time-series allows for versatility in data analysis. Also, batch export and various file formats (tif, jpeg, png, bmp, mp4) are available.
- Feedback Microscopy: Features, such as automated object-detection algorithm and pre-scan ROI-selection enable feedback microscopy.
- Plugin Interface: Data processing with external software utilizes a plugin interface. Advanced users can generate their own plugins.
Publications
| Year | Journal | Title | Author(s) | Subject | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Journal of the American Society of Nephrology | A Novel High-Content Screening Assay Identified … as Protective in a FSGS—Like Zebrafish Model | S Maximilian, S Florian, L Tim, (..) Endlich, Nicole | Embryo implantation, morphogenesis | Fish, kidney, Acquifer IM |
| 2023 | Scientific Reports | Identification of side effects of COVID-19 drug candidates on embryogenesis using an integrated zebrafish screening platform | A Ernst, I Piragyte, A Marwa, (..) Nadia Mercader | Embryogenesis, cardiovasculature, COVID-19 | Zebrafish embryo model, phenotypic screening |
| 2023 | bioRxiv Pre-print | Natural genetic variation quantitatively regulates heart-rate and -dimension | J Gierten, B Welz, T Fitzgerald, (..) Joachim Wittbrodt | Embryonic heart development, | Japanese rice fish, genetic mapping, inbred vertebrate model |
| 2023 | Nature Methods | EmbryoNet: using deep learning to link embryonic phenotypes to signaling pathways | D Čapek, M Safroshkin, H Morales-Navarrete, (..) Patrick Müller | Signaling pathways, phenotypic defects | Zebrafish, machine learning, automated phenotyping, high-throughput drug screens |
| 2023 | Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology | pyHeart4Fish: Chamber-specific heart phenotype quantification of zebrafish in high-content screens | V Vedder, T Reinberger, S Haider, (..) Jeanette Erdmann | Cardiac chamber-specific parameters | Automated quantification, drug screen |
| 2022 | ScienceDirect | Muscular hydraulics drive larva-polyp morphogenesis | A Stokkermans, A Chakrabarti, K Subramanian, (..) Aissam Ikmi | Morphogenesis, body contractility and motility, muscle hydraulics and organization | cnidarian, quantitative live imaging |
| 2022 | Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology | The ShGlomAssay Combines High-Throughput Drug Screening With Downstream Analyses and Reveals the Protective Role of Vitamin D3 and Calcipotriol on Podocytes | MC Ristov, T Lange, N Nath, (..) Nicole Endlich | Chronic kidney disease, podocyte de-differentiation | Mouse, high-throughput screening, western blot, RNA sequencing |
| 2022 | eLife | Boosting targeted genome editing using the hei-tag | T Thumberger, T Tavhelidse-SuckJose, A Gutierrez-Triana, (..) Joachim Wittbrodt | Genome editing, mRNA | CRISPR, peptide tags, |
| 2021 | Journal of the American Society of Nephrology | Glomerular Endothelial Cell-Derived microRNA-192 Regulates Nephronectin Expression in Idiopathic Membranous Glomerulonephritis | J Müller-Deile, N Sopel, A Ohs, (..) Mario Schiffer | Idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis (iMGN), MicroRNA-192-5p | Zebrafish, mice, cell culture, kidney biopsies |
| 2021 | International journal of molecular sciences | An Experimental Workflow for Studying Barrier Integrity, Permeability, and Tight Junction Composition and Localization in a Single Endothelial Cell Monolayer: Proof of Concept | M Bartosova, D Ridinger, I Marinovic, (..) Sotirios G. Zarogiannis | Endothelial and epithelial barrier, cell monolayer | Single-molecule localization microscopy, Cell culture, automated imaging and image analysis |
| 2021 | eLife | Fish primary embryonic pluripotent cells assemble into retinal tissue mirroring in vivo early eye development | L Zilova, V Weinhardt, T Tavhelidse, (..) Joachim Wittbrodt | Morphogenesis, body contractility and motility, muscle hydraulics and organization | Zebrafish, genome editing, quantitative analysis |
| 2021 | PLoS ONE | In vivo identification and validation of novel potential predictors for human cardiovascular diseases | O Hammouda, M Wu, V Kaul, (..) Joachim Wittbrodt | Cardiovascular diseases, genome wide association studies | CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, automated high-throughput heart rate analysis |
| 2020 | Cells | A Multiparametric Assay Platform for Simultaneous In Vivo Assessment of Pronephric Morphology, Renal Function and Heart Rate in Larval Zebrafish | P Steenbergen, J Heigwer, G Pandey, (..) Jens Westhoff | Chemical toxicity testing, pronephric phenotypes | Multiparametric in vivo screening pipeline, 3D-printed orientation tool |
| 2020 | Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology | In vivo High-Content Screening in Zebrafish for Developmental Nephrotoxicity of Approved Drugs | J Westhoff, P Steenbergen, L Thomas, (..) Jochen Gehrig | Nephrotoxic drugs, phenotypic renal alterations | Vertebrate embryos, automated high-content screen, in vivo, microtiter plates |
| 2020 | ScienceDirect | The human α-defensin-derived peptide HD5(1–9) inhibits cellular attachment and entry of human cytomegalovirus | R Böffert, R Businger, H Preiß, (..) Michael Schindler | Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), embryonic development | High-content screening, human cells |
| 2020 | Scientific Reports | Automated high-throughput heartbeat quantification in medaka and zebrafish embryos under physiological conditions | J Gierten, C Pylatiuk, Omar Hammouda, (..) Felix Loosli | Cardiovascular diseases, genome wide association studies | Fish model, screening assay, high-throughput heartbeat analysis |
| 2019 | PLoS ONE | Enhanced in vivo-imaging in medaka by optimized anaesthesia, fluorescent protein selection and removal of pigmentation | C Lischik, L Adelmann, Joachim Wittbrodt | Fluorophore selection, specimen immobilization, elminating pigmentation | in vivo, fish, light-sheet microscopy, gene editing |
| 2019 | PLoS ONE | Swift Large-scale Examination of Directed Genome Editing | O Hammouda, F Böttger, J Wittbrodt, Thomas Thumberger | Isolation and detection of alleles, phenotype-genotype correlation | Zebrafish, CRISPR, genetic screening, DIY-pipet tips |
| 2019 | International journal of molecular sciences | A Smart Imaging Workflow for Organ-Specific Screening in a Cystic Kidney Zebrafish Disease Model | G Pandey, J Westhoff, F Schaefer, Jochen Gehrig | Glomerular cyst formation, kidney disease | Zebrafish, high-content screening, automated imaging, image analysis |
| 2017 | Journal of Cell Biology | Two distinct membrane potential–dependent steps drive mitochondrial matrix protein translocation | A Schendzielorz, C Schulz, O Lytovchenko, (..) Peter Rehling | Organelles, trafficking, translocation | High-content screening |
| 2016 | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences | δ-COP contains a helix C-terminal to its longin domain key to COPI dynamics and function | E Arakel, K Richter, A Clancy, Blanche Schwappach | Coat protein I (COPI)-coated vesicles, membrane-associated coatomer | High-content screening |
| 2016 | Scientific Reports | Mice lacking WRB reveal differential biogenesis requirements of tail-anchored proteins in vivo | J Rivera-Monroy, L Musiol, K Unthan-Fechner, (..) Fabio Vilardi | Tail-anchored (TA) proteins | Mouse, in-vivo, high-content screening |