Anusha Gupta, the leading scientist in the development of the Ciliary Beat Frequency (CBF) assay, has played an instrumental role in advancing research on the small airway epithelium cell model, utilizing the latest imaging technology.
Anusha Gupta. Image Credit: Newcells Biotech
The CBF assay and CiliaBeat software offer unique capabilities. While studying ciliary movements in healthy in vitro models is inherently fascinating, observing changes in ciliary function under disease states or with compound treatments is even more compelling.
The CiliaBeat software stands out for its sensitivity. It can detect CBF changes as small as 0.25 Hz, enabling precise identification of subtle functional shifts. The assay’s adaptability, with customizable treatment windows and dosing strategies, enhances its value further.
Another asset is the software’s efficiency. Overnight, it processed over 3,000 sample videos, which accelerates data analysis and facilitates timely insights.
Anusha expressed her excitement about the opportunity to develop a method for identifying effective compounds—like mucolytics—that can advance drug development.
She leveraged this opportunity to address challenges she encountered in past analysis studies, where available open-source tools for CBF analysis often lacked essential processing options and output metrics.
Her contributions included implementing a filter to remove inactive cilia and background noise, leading to more accurate measurements. She particularly values the assay’s ability to visualize dramatic changes in CBF across specific regions when exposed to fast-acting compounds like ATP.
Despite the progress, developing the assay and software presented considerable challenges. Minimizing background noise from surrounding vibrations picked up by the microscope was essential to avoid interference with CBF measurements, for example.
Image Credit: Newcells
Another challenge involved refining heatmaps to accurately represent calculated frequencies and the areas covered by active cilia and incorporating visually intuitive color scales.
Reflecting on the project, Anusha regards this experience as transformative. Working with software development concepts was a new venture, requiring innovative thinking to ensure the highest standards in product development.
Having overseen the project from concept to commercial launch, Anusha looks forward to collaborating with clients to explore the complexities of ciliary function and advance scientific discovery in respiratory research.
About Newcells Biotech
Newcells Biotech develops in vitro cell-based assays for drug and chemical discovery and development.
Using our expertise in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), cellular physiology, and organoid technology, we build models that incorporate the “best biology” for predicting in vivo behavior of new drugs.
Our experts have developed and launched assays to measure transporter function, safety, and efficacy in a range of cell and tissue types, including kidney, retina and lungs.
We have the capability to develop and implement protocols to measure cilia beat frequency and toxicity on small airway epithelial cells model, retinal toxicity and disease modelling on retinal organoids and retina epithelium, as well as drug transport in the kidney, DDI and nephrotoxicity across human and a range of preclinical species.
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