The slides represent a unique product on the market, as there are currently no other perfusion devices as disposables available yet. µ-Slides' perfusion channel allows a quantitative exchange of fluids. While other systems have to be built together before use, ibidi's disposables are pre-assembled and single packed ready for use.
The µ-Slides are a family of flow through devices designed for the functional analysis of living cells. Currently, the µ-Slide product family comprises 8 different slide types for cell-culture and optical microscopy (high resolution, fluorescence, DIC) and protein-binding slides.
A spokesman for ibidi research told DrugResearcher.com: "We see a growing need for a set that we call cultivation fixation staining imaging."
"So far it has been impossible to get these things done in high end disposables. Cultivation is done in a T-flask and normally cells are transferred to a glass cover to get a high-end imaging achieved. Our products close that gap with all steps achieved in one carrier."
The assays can be performed directly in the carrier and a potential drug candidate can be added to the cells. Uptake can be followed directly under the microscope to see where a potential drug goes to (organelles, membrane) using confocal imaging techniques would even allow predictions of a possible pathway.
Under development for almost 6 years, the µ-Slides is particularly suited for all fluorescence-based techniques and in combination with phase contrast, DIC and confocal microscopy.
Immunofluorescence assays with specific antibodies are amongst the most powerful analytic tools in quantitative biology. The accuracy of disease diagnosis and classification rely on reproducible preparation techniques.
The open µ-Slides are designed to handle cell or tissue samples in parallel. One of our µ-Slides carries two wells with 9 subdivisions each (µ-Slide 2x9 well). This set-up allows mounting of 9 different tissue or cell samples while facilitating washing and staining steps.
µ-Slides are also useful for when bacteria or infectious material need to be mounted. Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) analysis can be carried out without escape of sample material. This technique is used as an essential tool not only in research laboratories, but also in prognostics, diagnostics and disease monitoring in medicine.
Cell growth conditions are preserved while minimizing the consumption of valuable reagents right down to volumes of 30 µl. An advantage is in costs of bioimaging assays, which can be cut down and protocols for immunofluorescence and FISH are facilitated significantly.
The spokesman commented on the amount of money that was being wasted in drug development right now, because most of the good candidates could not be tested well enough in a cell-based assay.
"If you get better tools in your hands here, I think we will have a big impact on the general market."
"We see the market is growing strongly. A rate of 20 per cent right now is reasonable at the moment and for the future of at least the next 5 years."
µ-Slides are available in eight different formats, among them there are the first commercially available disposable perfusion devices. The slides are delivered in sterile packaging and can be easily loaded with cell suspension.
As the slides are disposables, price ranges between €5 - €30 and are available from a network of distribution partners.