Patent ID: 6875578

Claim:
An automated method for cell based toxin detection, classification, and/or identification comprising providing an array of locations containing cells to be treated with a test substance, wherein the cells possess at least a first fluorescent reporter molecule comprising a detector, wherein the detector detects a toxin present in the test substance, and a second fluorescent reporter molecule selected from the group consisting of a classifier or an identifier, wherein the classifier detects a toxin present in the test substance and identifies a cell pathway affected by a toxin present in the test substance, and the identifier detects a toxin present in the test substance and identifies a specific toxin or group of toxins present in the test substance; contacting the cells with the test substance either before or after possession of the first and second fluorescent reporter molecules by the cells; wherein the localization, distribution, structure, or activity of the first and second fluorescent reporter molecule is modified when the cell is contacted with a toxin present in the test substance; imaging or scanning multiple cells in each of the locations containing cells to obtain fluorescent signals from the detector and the second reporter molecule; converting the fluorescent signals from the detector and the second reporter molecule into digital data; utilizing the digital data from the detector and the second reporter molecule to automatically measure the localization, distribution, or activity of the detector and the second reporter molecule on or in the cell, wherein a change in the localization, distribution, structure or activity of the detector indicates the presence of a toxin in the test substance, and; wherein a change in the localization, distribution, structure or activity of the classifier identifies a cell pathway that is perturbed by the toxin present in the test substance, or wherein a change in the localization, distribution, structure or activity of the identifier identifies the specific toxin or group of toxins that are present in the test substance.