Metafer: the multipurpose scanning platform
Since the late eighties MetaSystems offers an automatic metaphase finder,
that has been continuously developed to the unique high performance slide scanning system
Metafer. Today, metaphase finding is only one of the applications
available for Metafer.
Since Metafer software is based on an open modular concept, the same hardware
allows the use of different software modules for a high variety of applications. Whether
you are looking for automation in genetics, haematology, pathology or other fields: Metafer
always stands for the best solution, providing the quality you expect and the automation
you appreciate.
Metafer Options and Links |
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MetaCyte automatically analyzes cells in single cell preparations and in tissue sections. |
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MSearch finds metaphases in transmitted light mode and fluorescence. |
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RCDetect finds rare cells. |
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AutoCapt generates high magnification images from previously detected objects. |
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CometScan automatically analyzes Comet assay slides. |
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DCScore finds and counts dicentric chromosomes. |
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MicroNuclei detects micronuclei in mono- and bi-nucleated cells. |
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Metafer P combines the advantages of Metafer with laser microdissection. |
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The slide feeder enhances the capacity of Metafer to 80 slides. |
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MetaCyte
Automatic multiparametric cell feature analysis
MetaCyte is the most powerful and flexible Metafer module. MetaCyte
finds cells or nuclei using morphological criteria, and captures and analyzes specific
signals in up to 5 different color channels. More than 150 features, describing i.e.
count, distribution, size, and intensity of signals or cells, are analyzed
automatically. Flexible combination of features allows to extract any data, which
is needed for the desired evaluation. Objects detected by the MetaCyte scan may
be gated by criteria, which were obtained during the scan, in order to select
subpopulations of cells or tissue section areas with certain specifications (just like
with a cytometer). Sophisticated image processing algorithms prepare each image to assure
that only the positive signals are measured, and that artifacts do not interfere with the
analysis.
Since MetaCyte uses a unique classifier concept to be adapted to different
slide conditions, it can be used for a principally unlimited number of assays. MetaCyte
works in transmitted light mode and in fluorescence mode and allows direct combination of
both methods, and it is not limited to single cell preparations, but it is also able to scan in
tissue section preparations or even tissue microarrays. MetaCyte includes the AutoCapt module, which acquires high
magnification images from the detected objects for further documentation, i.e. with the
FISH imaging system Isis.
MetaCyte may be upgraded with the
CometScan module, providing a
fully automated station for the analysis of Comet assay preparations and CometFISH.
MSearch
Fast metaphase finding in transmitted and fluorescent light
MSearch scans slides for metaphases in fluorescent and transmitted light, captures gallery images of the detected objects and stores their positions. The scanning speed for an average slide with GIEMSA stained metaphases is 6 minutes. One mouse click relocates any metaphase under the microscope. Metaphase data (i.e., results of aberration analysis) may be entered with the mouse using a customizable scoring sheet. Any detected metaphase can be transferred either into the Ikaros karyotyping or into the Isis FISH imaging system. Upgrade options are available for AutoCapt automated image acquisition, DCScore automatic scoring of dicentric chromosomes, and MicroNuclei micronucleus analysis in mono- and bi-nucleated cells.
RCDetect
Detection and relocation of rare cells
If one specific cell among millions of other cells must be found, speed is the most
crucial feature. Therefore RCDetect, the rare cell detection software for Metafer,
works with a very fast and specific algorithm. Special hardware parts like the high speed
filterwheels for fluorescence and transmitted light (R,G,B) allow in combination with the
fast software to gain a scanning speed of up to 7,000 cells per second even in the
fluorescent mode. RCDetect identifies positive cells at their specific staining
pattern and stores their positions together with a gallery image. Since it is possible to
relocate any object with just one mouseclick, subsequent assays can be performed with the
same cell consecutively, and so i.e. the morphologic brightfield image can be directly
compared to a FISH or antibody signal pattern found in the same cell. To increase the
specificity, a second signal condition may be defined, and cells are rejected by the
system, if the second signal is present or not, respectively.
AutoCapt
Automatic image acquisition
AutoCapt is a meaningful addition to any Metafer system, if high magnification images of the detected objects are needed. AutoCapt uses the position lists which are generated by MSearch, MetaCyte, or RCDetect and automatically captures images of each cell or metaphase. The images are stored within the data file and can be exported into various file formats. Besides standard graphic file formats like TIFF, JPEG or BMP (that are readable by most imaging or word processing packages), AutoCapt is also able to store the images in the internal formats of the Ikaros karyotyping and the Isis FISH imaging systems, avoiding the time consuming manual image acquisition prior to karyotyping or mFISH / mBAND analysis.
AutoCapt is optional for Metafer MSearch and Metafer RCDetect, and included in Metafer MetaCyte.
CometScan
Automatic single-cell gel electrophoresis (Comet assay) and Comet FISH analysis
The Comet (single cell gel-electrophoresis) assay is acknowledged to be a suitable method for the evaluation of DNA damage on the single cell level. However, due to the variability of the results it is common to perform repeated analyses to obtain statistical significance. Since Comet assay slides have to be analyzed with the help of image analysis, this means that plenty of images have to be acquired and analyzed for each study. CometScan searches and detects cells in single cell gel electrophoresis preparations, captures the objects and automatically evaluates the head and tail features (i.e., tail moment). The whole analysis is done unattended, and data as well as the cell images are stored for further revisiting. CometScan is an optional module for Metafer MetaCyte, and it can use MetaCyte's capabilities for the FISH analysis to combine both assays: Comet FISH allows to determine the distribution of FISH signals between head and tail of a given comet.
CometScan is a software upgrade for Metafer MetaCyte.
DCScore
Detection of dicentric chromosomes
The estimation of DNA damage requires the analysis of a large number of samples. Especially if dicentric chromosomes are analyzed, the time invested for manual scoring can be quite high. The DCScore software module for MSearch uses the images which have been created by AutoCapt (software option for MSearch), and automatically analyzes them for the presence of dicentric chromosomes. Each detected dicentric is counted and displayed in the AutoCapt image. The overall data may be printed or exported into customizable report forms.
DCScore is a software upgrade for Metafer MSearch.
MicroNuclei
Detection of micronuclei in mono- and bi-nucleated cells
Micronuclei are derived from DNA fragments, which are not distributed properly during cell division and therefore stay in the cell as small, nucleus-like structures. Counting of micronuclei generates data on the amount of DNA damage in a given cell population, and micronuclei are widely used as endpoint for biological dosimetry. The MicroNuclei module for Metafer MSearch finds cells in a respective preparation, and automatically counts the micronuclei. Due to its flexibility the module can be used for both mono- and bi-nucleated cell assays.
MicroNuclei is a software upgrade for Metafer MSearch.
Metafer P
Combination of slide scanning with laser micro-dissection
In 2002, MetaSystems went into strategic partnership with P.A.L.M. Microlaser Technologies. Metafer P is a special scanning system adopted to the laser microdissection systems from P.A.L.M. Now it is possible to combine the unique features of Metafer with the advantages of the P.A.L.M. MicroBeam IP microdissection system. Target cells can be searched automatically prior to laser microdissection on the same system.
SlideFeeder
Enhancing the capabilities
Each Metafer system is equipped with a Maerzhaeuser stepping motor stage, allowing for unattended scan of 8 slides. However, for labs with higher workload it may be desirable to run more slides within each unattended scanning session. Therefore MetaSystems provides the ingenious 80-slides SlideFeeder, which was especially designed and built for the use with Metafer systems. The feeder exchanges trays of 8 slides each, thus reducing the time needed for the loading procedure. Due to the unique principle of exchanging whole, 8-slides trays instead of single slides, the exchange procedure is safe and much faster. Slides can be loaded into the trays on the workbench in a very convenient way.
For an even higher degree of automation a bar code reading option is available. This feature uses the optical capacities of the microscope and does therefore not require any external hardware. The MetaSystems barcode option understands bar codes based on the common 2/5-interleaved specifications. Inside Metafer a software feature does an automatic translation of the numeric bar code to alphanumeric, customized codes.
Download a SlideFeeder Video
(WMV-format, 6,315,628 bytes).
