Live cell-imaging incubators are designed to perform in vitro cellular imaging experiments imitating in vivo environmental conditions. They typically integrate an inverted microscope into an incubator, for which a variety of parameters, such as temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide/oxygen concentrations, can be controlled. The imaging technology utilized varies and determines each unit’s applications and capabilities. However, the majority of imaging incubators integrate CCD-based microscopes capable of fluorescent analysis.

The traditional method of performing live-cell analysis was to simply remove cells from an incubator before performing live cell–imaging studies. This places stress on the cells due to the sudden change in the environment. In addition to increasing the risk for sample contamination, removing cells from their native environment decreases the lifespan and oftentimes triggers unwarranted physiological and morphological responses, which yield inconsistent results. Integrating imaging technologies with incubators eliminates all of these variables.

There are only a handful of vendors that have commercialized live cell–imaging incubators. Nikon is one of the largest. Its BioStation line of products includes the BioStation IM-Q and CT models. The IM-Q1 model integrates a 2 megapixel CCD DS-Qi1 camera with an environmental chamber that controls temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide/oxygen levels. The CT model has capabilities spanning molecular pathology to target identification and regenerative studies. It has multiple observation modes that can be used for cell counting, confluence and cell division.

Olympus’s VivaView FL incubator can image up to eight samples simultaneously. The unit features a CCD camera paired with a carbon dioxide incubator and is capable of both morphological and fluorescent observations by transmitted and incidental light sources, respectively. The system also integrates Olympus’s MetaMorph image-analysis software.

Sanyo’s InCu-View Live incubated live-imaging system is a collaboration with Olympus. Integrated into the carbon dioxide incubator unit is camera technology that contains a CCD lens manufactured by Olympus. The two models offered by Sanyo are the MCOK-5M and MCOK-5M (RC). The RC model features a relief-contrast design for observing thicker cell types, such as embryonic stem cells.

InQ Bioscience’s InQ unit comes with either a standard microscope or a fluorescent-phase contrast microscope. The incubation unit has a dual growth chamber for independent control of carbon dioxide/oxygen levels, in addition to temperature and humidity.

Demand for live cell–imaging incubators has been robust, particularly for burgeoning cell analysis applications, such as regenerative stem cell studies. Other applications include cell population analysis and microbiology. Collaborations between optics manufacturers and incubator vendors are expected to drive innovations.

Live Cell–Imaging Incubators

at a Glance:

Leading Suppliers

• Nikon

• Olympus

• Sanyo

Largest Markets

• Academia

• Biotechnology

• Pharmaceuticals

Instrument Cost

• $15,000–$150,000