Patent ID: 6727071
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: B01J,B01L,B82Y,C12Q,C40B,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
An automated method for analyzing cells comprising:a) providing an array of locations which contain multiple cells, wherein the cells contain on or within the cells at least a first fluorescent or luminescent reporter molecule that binds to deoxyribonucleic acid and at least a second fluorescent or luminescent reporter molecule that reports on mitochondrial potential by accumulating in and/or binding to mitochondria or actin polymerization by binding to and/or accumulating in actin filaments; b) automatically obtaining fluorescent or luminescent signals from the at least first fluorescent or luminescent reporter molecule and the at least second fluorescent or luminescent reporter molecule on or in the cells; c) automatically calculating from the fluorescent or luminescent signals from the at least first fluorescent or luminescent reporter molecule an average nuclear area, and one or both of an average nuclear perimeter; and an average nuclear intensity; and d) automatically calculating an average intensity of the fluorescent or luminescent signals from the at least second fluorescent or luminescent reporter molecule, wherein the calculations made in steps (c) and (d) provide a measure of apoptotic activity in the cells.