Live-cell imaging and analysis instrument

University of Turku is purchasing live-cell imaging and analysis instrument Incucyte SX5 (and accessories). Specific needs and required functionalities of the live-cell imaging and analysis instrument: 1. Ability to simultaneously detect and analyze three fluorescent markers, in addition to high-definition phase contrast images. 2. 4x, 10x, and 20x objectives in an automated objective turret, enabling automatic change of objective between scans of different vessels 3. Ability to perform simultaneous, uninterrupted live-cell imaging of 6 vessels under precisely controlled environmental condition within a cell culture incubator 4. Ability to perform continuous live-cell imaging for extended periods of time (14 days or more) without moving the assay vessels 5. Ability to find the same position in a well in repeated measurements, enabling precise data acquisition and creating movies from extended live-cell imaging experiments. 6. Ability to analyze cells growing on multiwell plates from 6-well up to 384-well plates. 7. Ability to image and automatically analyze cells growing both in 2D monolayer and in 3D: ability to quantify growth, count, death, invasion and morphology of single or multi-spheroids embedded in 3D matrix. Ability to perform z-stacking to image spheroids growing in different planes. 8. Ability to measure and automatically analyze chemotaxis of cells, with dedicated 96-well plate inserts enabling consistent assays. 9. Ability to measure and automatically analyze migration and invasion of cells, with dedicated tools to create identical wounds on a cell monolayer on a 96-well plate, and an integrated analysis algorithm. 10. Ability for label-free detection and quantification and analysis of differences in cellular size and morphology 11. Cell-by-cell feature: Ability to identify individual, unlabeled, adherent and non-adherent cells in phase images. Allowing one- or two-parameter classification tools to group cells into subsets using size, shape or fluorescence intensity.

Justification for direct purchase of Incucyte SX5 (and accessories) from Sartorius for Faculty of Medicine Specific needs and required functionalities of the live-cell imaging and analysis instrument: 1. Ability to simultaneously detect and analyze three fluorescent markers, in addition to high-definition phase contrast images. 2. 4x, 10x, and 20x objectives in an automated objective turret, enabling automatic change of objective between scans of different vessels 3. Ability to perform simultaneous, uninterrupted live-cell imaging of 6 vessels under precisely controlled environmental condition within a cell culture incubator 4. Ability to perform continuous live-cell imaging for extended periods of time (14 days or more) without moving the assay vessels 5. Ability to find the same position in a well in repeated measurements, enabling precise data acquisition and creating movies from extended live-cell imaging experiments. 6. Ability to analyze cells growing on multiwell plates from 6-well up to 384-well plates. 7. Ability to image and automatically analyze cells growing both in 2D monolayer and in 3D: ability to quantify growth, count, death, invasion and morphology of single or multi-spheroids embedded in 3D matrix. Ability to perform z-stacking to image spheroids growing in different planes. 8. Ability to measure and automatically analyze chemotaxis of cells, with dedicated 96-well plate inserts enabling consistent assays. 9. Ability to measure and automatically analyze migration and invasion of cells, with dedicated tools to create identical wounds on a cell monolayer on a 96-well plate, and an integrated analysis algorithm. 10. Ability for label-free detection and quantification and analysis of differences in cellular size and morphology 11. Cell-by-cell feature: Ability to identify individual, unlabeled, adherent and non-adherent cells in phase images. Allowing one- or two-parameter classification tools to group cells into subsets using size, shape or fluorescence intensity. Justification of direct award of contract and the choice of a specific supplier: There is no other instrument on the market that has all the necessary features. According to the Act on Public Procurement and Concession Contracts (1397/2016) section 40 when only a certain supplier can implement the procurement for a technical reason, provided also that there are no reasonable alternatives or substitute solutions, and that the absence of competition is not due to an artificial narrowing of the terms and conditions of the procurement, the contract may be awarded only to a particular supplier, Contracting authorities may award public contracts by a direct award. Prior to making decision the Contracting authority has inspected the relevant markets and available products and after careful consideration found its' conclusion grounded.