Application: Real-Time Monitoring of 3D Spheroid Cultures

Live imaging made simple: observe 3D cellular structures under true-to-life conditions

Spheroids – three-dimensional multicellular aggregates – offer a highly relevant in vitro model for
simulating tissue-like environments. They provide a better approximation of cell-cell and cell-matrix
interactions compared to traditional 2D cultures, especially in drug development and toxicological
research.

The zenCELL owl is a compact, AI-powered microscope designed for real-time live-cell imaging inside standard incubators. It allows hands-off, automated, and high-frequency monitoring of spheroid development under physiological conditions.

Experimental Setup

Two experimental approaches were conducted:

1. Spheroid Proliferation on Non-Adhesive Surface

Result: Spheroids formed smooth, round shapes due to the non-adhesive environment. Proliferation occurred in the outer layers, increasing the diameter over time. Key parameters such as area, width, height, and roundness were quantified using zenCELL owl and Image.

2. Adhesion & Outgrowth on Treated Surface

Result: Cells adhered to the surface and began migrating outward. A semi-spherical 3D core with a surrounding monolayer formed within 48 hours. Time-lapse data captured this adhesion and outgrowth dynamically

Results & Image-Based Analysis

Using the zenCELL owl software and ImageJ, we monitored: – Spheroid expansion – Adhesion dynamics – Morphological parameters (roundness, shape, size) – Outgrowth behavior over time No manual intervention, no environmental disruption – just reliable, reproducible real-time data

Conclusion: Efficient & Insightful Monitoring of 3D Cultures

With its built-in 24-camera array and intuitive software, the zenCELL owl enables non-invasive, fully
automated monitoring of spheroids and other 3D structures directly within the incubator.

It offers a powerful solution for: – Drug screening – Stem cell research – Cytotoxicity testing
The system simplifies workflows, reduces hands-on time, and enhances reproducibility across multiple
conditions and assays.

Developed in collaboration with:

University of Regensburg & Fraunhofer EMFT, Munich
With support from our distribution partner Omni Life Science (www.ols-bio.com)

Application: Real-Time Monitoring of 3D Spheroid Cultures

Live imaging made simple: observe 3D cellular structures under true-to-life conditions

Experimental Setup

1. Spheroid Proliferation on Non-Adhesive Surface

2. Adhesion & Outgrowth on Treated Surface

Results & Image-Based Analysis

Conclusion: Efficient & Insightful Monitoring of 3D Cultures

Developed in collaboration with:

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