Having the ability to monitor cell culture over an extended period of time, offers insight into cell dynamics and function. Live cell imaging microscopes open up exciting and unique avenues, to analyze cell viability, health, migration, and even responses to external factors. To support investigators in the life sciences to continue developing the understanding of cellular processes, The CytoSMART Lux3 FL allows researchers to track dynamic cellular processes by taking high-quality images to create real-time time-lapse movies. Simultaneously, the cells can be kept in a controlled environment inside a standard cell culture incubator.

Lux3 FL Duo Kit

The CytoSMART Lux3 FL Duo Kit Fluorescence live-cell imaging for side-by-side comparison studies. The CytoSMART Lux3 FL Duo Kit is an automated fluorescence live-cell imaging system for long-term side-by-side comparison studies, that fits in a standard cell culture incubator. The two devices are controlled by a single laptop, and the red and green fluorescent channels increase the number of read-out parameters per experiment. Images of running or finished experiments can be accessed, processed and analyzed from any desired location using the CytoSMART cloud-based environment.

Multi Lux3 FL Duo Kit

The CytoSMART Multi Lux3 FL is a dual-fluorescence live-cell imaging system, designed for long-term comparative studies and large research teams. The system consists of four compact Lux3 FL fluorescence microscopes, equipped with two fluorescent (green and red) and one brightfield channel that allow to analyze multiple cell features simultaneously. It fits comfortably in any standard incubator, still allowing to accommodate cell culture plates and flasks.   Live-cell imaging itself has become a desired and often necessary analytical tool in many cell biology laboratories that operate in the field of neurobiology, developmental biology, pharmacology. The Lux3 FL is a compact fluorescence live-cell imaging microscope supplied with one brightfield and two fluorescent channels (green and red). This device allows researchers to explain cellular processes in real-time, providing lots of valuable data about the experiments and answers if, when, how, and to what extend the cellular processes occur. Lux3 FL fluorescent cell imaging device allows researchers to track dynamic cellular processes by taking high-quality images to create real-time time-lapse movies. Simultaneously, the cells can be kept in a controlled environment inside a standard cell culture incubator.  
Capture fluorescent and brightfield images for you even when you are not in the lab Currently, fluorescent labeling is mostly used as an end-point measurement. However, time-lapse imaging of live cells can give far more information about biological processes between the start and end points. By using automated imaging at regular time intervals, the temporal resolution of the fluorescent data is increased, leading to even more relevant data about the cellular processes. In this way, with fluorescence microscopy, researchers can not only determine if a certain process has occurred, but also when it occurred and at what speed. Live insight in cellular processes The Lux3 FL fluorescence imaging microscope automatically creates time-lapse movies that contain many cellular features. The videos are made from inside the incubator without disturbing your cells and can be immediately accessed and analyzed remotely via the Cloud, providing real-time updates on cell cultures and running experiments. Get the whole story and observe the development of cellular processes while they occur. Applications of kinetic fluorescence assays Using fluorescence live-cell imaging has become progressively more valuable in the fields of drug discovery, tissue engineering, immunology, immunotherapy, and cancer research. Various applications, such as monitoring cell viability, determining transfection efficiency, investigating co-cultures, and analyzing cellular processes, can benefit from the fluorescent labels and their detailed kinetic visualization. Many of these applications also benefit from the integrated image analysis included with the system. Analyze cells in their desired culture environment Kinetic fluorescence imaging of cellular processes requires environmental control throughout the experiment. Because of its small size, the Lux3 FL fits inside any standard incubator. This enables you to perform fluorescent live-cell imaging experiments parallel to your regular cell cultures. Because of the remote data accessibility in the Cloud, your cells do not have to be disturbed during the experiment. This makes sure the cells are in the most optimal culture conditions as possible. Next to this, the remote data accessibility prevents you from making unnecessary lab visits. Simultaneous analysis of multiple cell features Expand the number of variables you can analyze in your cell culture. Using Lux3 FL, researchers can analyze green and red fluorescent tags simultaneously with your brightfield images. This not only saves you time but also provides tools to distinguish cells from each other or distinguish labeled structures within the cells. By tracking changes in the fluorescent signal over time, cell number changes or fluorescently tagged cellular components can easily be identified.
The Lux3 FL can image and analyze various applications. For example, monitoring cell viability, determining transfection efficiency, investigation of co-cultures, and analyzing cellular processes. Researchers working in drug discovery, tissue engineering, immunology, immunotherapy, and cancer research fields can benefit from the fluorescence live-cell imaging.  
Time-lapse of a wound healing assay of C6 cells and 3T3 cells – Lux3 FL Transfection of 3T3 cells with Cell Light Nucleus-GFP – Lux3 FL fluorescence imager
Time lapse of the apoptotic response of CHO-K1 cells to H2O2 – Lux3 FL Time lapse of co-culture of C6 cells together with 3T3 cells – Lux3 FL
Time lapse of drug uptake in spheroid – Lux3 FL
 
Technical Specifications
Channels Brightfield, green and red fluorescence channels
Magnification 10X fixed objective – 20X digital zoom
Fluorescence filters Green: Excitation: 452/45 nm, Emission: 512/23 nm
Red: Excitation: 561/14 nm, Emission: 630/90 nm
Camera 6.4 MP CMOS
Data formats JPG, TIFF, XLSX, MP4
Image size 2072 x 2072 pixels
Field of view 1.45 x 1.45 mm
Culture vessels Well-plates, petri dishes, flasks, microfluidic chips and custom culture vessels
Computer requirements Windows 10
Dimensions 166 x 140 x 135 mm (L x W x H)
Weight 1.3 kg
Operating conditions 5 – 40 °C, 20-95% humidity
Warranty 1-year parts and labor
Data storage Unlimited cloud storage
What is the CytoSMART Lux3 FL? The CytoSMART Lux3 FL is a small fluorescence live-cell imaging microscope equipped with one brightfield and two fluorescent channels (green and red). The device allows users to track dynamic cellular processes with high specificity by taking high-quality fluorescence images to create real-time time-lapse movies. Experiments’ data can be accessed and analyzed remotely via the CytoSMART Cloud portal. Is it possible to measure viability with the Lux3 FL? Yes, viability is one of the numerous applications that fluorescence live-cell imaging has to offer. There are various fluorescent dyes on the market to analyze cell viability. Which fluorescent dyes are recommended to use with the Lux3 FL? Many different fluorescent dyes can be used, if the fluorescent dye’s excitation and emission spectra correspond with the fluorescent filters of the Lux3 FL (Green: Excitation: 452/45 nm, Emission: 512/23 nm. Red: Excitation: 561/14 nm, Emission: 630/90 nm). Some examples are RFP (red fluorescent protein), PI, and Cell Tracker Orange, for the red channel, and GFP (green fluorescent protein) and Cell Tracker green for the green channel. It is essential to match the fluorescent dye with the specifications of the device. Next to this, it is important to ensure that the dye is not toxic for the cells since you want to use it on live cells. What is the Lux3 FL magnification? Magnification is equal to a standard microscope with a 10X and 20X lens. Can I specify the recording interval? Images can be recorded at pre-defined intervals. At the start of a new experiment, you can specify the interval rate anywhere between 5 min and 12 hours. Is a computer required? The system requires a dedicated PC or laptop running on windows 10 or above and with a USB3 port and an active internet connection. If your lab does not have the sufficient hardware, we can supply these for a fee as part of your order. What are the software requirements? The CytoSMART Lux3 FL remote functionality runs on cloud-based software. In this cloud-environment, the images and videos are stored and can be accessed using user-specific login details. Next to unlimited data storage, automated image analysis can be performed in the CytoSMART Cloud portal. How do I clean the Lux3 FL device? The devices are easy to clean using lint-free wipes and EtOH (70%) or IPA. Do not use Acetone to clean the device. Please be aware that the device cannot be autoclaved. After sterilizing with EtOH or IPA the device can be used in a cleanroom.