The ImpedanCELL platform is equipped with an
RTCA iCELLigenceTM (Pilot Scale) mobile system to obtain various information on the cellular activity (
adhesion, proliferation, viability, morphology),
which is primarily
dedicated for training purposes, can also be used on an ad hoc basis to meet the
specific needs of external sites.
The
RTCA iCELLigence system is composed of 3 items:
- a RTCA Analyser with two separate electronic 8-well plates, which is placed in a standard CO2 cell culture incubator where it transmits data wirelessly to the Control Unit;
- a RTCA Control Unit including an iPad housed outside the incubator with the 2.0 version of the RTCA Software;
- E-Plate 8 (electronically integrated Boyden chamber) and E-Plate VIEW 8.
In terms of teaching, since 2014, a theoretical course has been run on xCELLigence® technology as well as a presentation and visit of the ImpedanCELL platform (together with a visit to the flow cytometry platform) for Masters Students. In 2015, thanks to funding for pedagogical innovation from University of Caen and the Normandy Regional Council, the platform acquired a portable iCELLigence system
coupled with a touch pad (iPad) so that practical work could be performed at the University Institute of Technology (IUT), UFR of Health and Sciences (Bachelor and Master Degrees) in the University of Caen Normandy.
The course and training are designed to introduce students to this new tool, both conceptually and practically.
It is part of a wider framework that aims to train students though a research approach to
be rigorous in the way they undertake scientific projects, with a view to providing them with the means to become fully fledged and competent professionals in the future.
Since 2018, applications in relation with live cell imaging (IncuCyte S3) are also presented to students.