Nanolive - Smart Lipid Droplet Assay Software for Analyzing Lipid Droplets Dynamics
The Smart Lipid Droplet Assay is a pioneering tool in lipid research, offering a label-free, push-button solution for high-precision segmentation and analysis of lipid droplets (LDs) in live cells. Utilizing the distinctive refractive index of lipid droplets, the assay eliminates the need for additional stains or dyes, thus preserving the native state of the cells and avoiding phototoxicity. It provides researchers with 39 metrics for a comprehensive analysis of LD morphology, content, and distribution at the single-cell level and across cell populations. This assay is particularly notable for its ability to monitor temporal changes in LDs without compromising spatial resolution, making it highly valuable for studying metabolic regulation in cells. By leveraging Nanolive's advanced imaging platform, researchers can achieve sub-cellular resolution in a non-invasive manner, facilitating deeper insights into cellular dynamics and reducing reliance on traditional, more invasive techniques.
The Smart Lipid Droplet Assay segments lipid droplets based on their unique refractive index values for optimal results without the addition of stains or dyes.
It delivers 39 metrics for a complete quantitative analysis of LD morphology, content, and distribution, at the single cell scale and the population level.
Poster: Label-free lipid droplet quantification
Lipid droplets are dense lipid stores in the cytoplasm, that play a role in metabolic regulation. They are translucent and cannot be detected using traditional light microscopy without using dyes. However, they have a high refractive index, so can be detected label-free using Nanolive imaging, confirmed by correlative fluorescence imaging. The Smart Lipid Droplet Assay (SDLA) segments lipid droplets and cell boundaries automatically to quantify changes in lipid droplets over time.