How AI Is Transforming Live-Cell Analysis
AI Has Arrived in Live-Cell Analysis
Artificial intelligence seems to be everywhere these days. Whether it’s helping us navigate unfamiliar cities, translating languages in real time, or recommending what to watch next, AI is rapidly becoming part of everyday life.
But what about the laboratory? For many researchers, image analysis remains one of the most time-consuming parts of an experiment. Hours can be spent adjusting thresholds, optimising segmentation settings, and checking that cells have been identified correctly. Even then, results can vary depending on who performs the analysis or which laboratory generated the data.
What if all of that could happen automatically, with a single click? That’s exactly what Agilent has delivered with the latest AI-powered update for the Agilent xCELLigence RTCA eSight.
From Manual Analysis to Intelligent Automation
The new RTCA eSight AI software introduces deep learning-powered cell segmentation that automatically identifies and quantifies cells directly from brightfield images.
No manual thresholding.
No endless parameter tweaking.
No subjective decisions about what counts as a cell.
Instead, the software uses pre-trained AI models to consistently analyse images across experiments, users and even different research sites.
The result? Faster analysis, greater confidence and significantly improved reproducibility.
Label-Free Means Happier Cells
Traditionally, researchers often rely on fluorescent dyes or stains simply to count cells or assess morphology. While effective, these approaches can add cost, increase assay complexity and sometimes alter normal cell behaviour.
The RTCA eSight AI workflow changes this by accurately segmenting cells directly from brightfield images, completely label-free.
Researchers can now perform routine cell counting, proliferation studies and morphology analysis without introducing additional reagents or disturbing their cells.
And when fluorescence is required? It integrates seamlessly.
Researchers can combine brightfield AI segmentation with fluorescent markers to classify individual cell populations, opening the door to applications such as:
- Live/dead cell analysis
- Phagocytosis assays
- Cell phenotype classification
- Fluorescence intensity measurements at the single-cell level
It’s the best of both worlds: non-invasive imaging when you want it, fluorescence when you need it.
Up to 80% Faster Image Analysis
Let’s be honest, nobody became a scientist because they enjoy manually analysing hundreds of images. One of the standout benefits of the new software is speed.
Agilent reports that AI-powered analysis can reduce image analysis time by up to 80%, allowing complete 96-well plates to be processed in just minutes.
That means less time sitting in front of a computer and more time:
- Designing the next experiment
- Interpreting biological results
- Publishing your findings
- Heading home at a reasonable hour!
For busy laboratories running multiple projects or high-throughput screens, those time savings quickly add up.
Two Independent Measurements. One Complete Story.
One feature that has always made the xCELLigence RTCA eSight unique is its ability to combine real-time impedance measurements with live-cell imaging.
Now, AI makes that combination even more powerful.
Researchers can simultaneously monitor:
- Cell proliferation
- Cell attachment
- Cell morphology
- Cell health
- Individual cell numbers
Because impedance and imaging measure biology in different ways, they provide complementary datasets that strengthen confidence in your conclusions.
Rather than relying on a single endpoint measurement, researchers gain continuous, orthogonal validation throughout the entire experiment.
The Future of Image Analysis Has Arrived
Artificial intelligence isn’t replacing researchers, it’s removing repetitive tasks that slow research down.
By automating cell segmentation and standardising image analysis, Agilent’s new RTCA eSight AI software allows scientists to spend less time processing data and more time asking the important biological questions.
After all, the next breakthrough probably won’t come from manually adjusting segmentation thresholds. It will come from the discoveries made once you no longer have to!
If you’d like to learn more about the new AI-powered capabilities of the Agilent xCELLigence RTCA eSight, or arrange a demonstration, feel free to get in touch with the Millennium Science team. We’d love to show you how AI can simplify your next live-cell imaging experiment.
Until next time… happy experimenting!
