Imaging Mass Cytometry Services

Imaging Mass Cytometry Services2022-11-17T10:08:07-05:00

Visikol is the leading provider of multiplex tissue imaging services in the marketplace and provides clients with the broadest suite of approaches to multi-parametric imaging. Depending on a researcher’s specific research question, Visikol has a unique solution which is capable of balancing cost, throughput, markers and quality.

IMC allows researchers to visualize up to 40+ markers on a single slide while providing minimal background noise which means very high sensitivity imaging. Additionally, as IMC is based on the quantification of non-naturally occurring metals, so there is no Autofluorescence and very little background noise. The readouts for each antibody are a direct quantification of that antibody’s respective epitope, whereas with fluorescent imaging this type of quantification can be challenging.

Advantages of Imaging Mass Cytometry

  • Subcellular Resolution: Imaging quality and resolution equivalent to 10X optical microscopy for effective cell segmentation.
  • No Autofluorescence: Using non-naturally-occurring metals for tagging antibodies limits potential pitfalls that can impact reproducibility and/or data quality.
  • Rapid Labeling and Turnaround: Unlike fluorescent multiplexing, all of the labels can be used simultaneously which reduces the need for multiple rounds of labeling and tedious processing.
  • Proven: Over 200 IMC publications provides confidence in results

Example 17-plex IMC Panel

An example 17-plex panel for IMC combines 3 panels together to assess the complexities of
the immune landscape within the tumor microenvironment.

Human Tissue Architecture Panel

Enables staining of tissue architecture,
including stroma, epithelial tissue,
and vasculature.

  • Alpha-smooth muscle actin
  • Collage type I
  • E-cadherin
  • Histone H3
  • Vimentin

Human Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes Panel

Enables staining of epithelial cells; phenotyping of T cells (helper, cytotoxic, memory, and regulatory), B cells, and monocytes/macrophages; and identification of potential CD68+ tumor cells.

  • CD20
  • CD3
  • CD4
  • CD45RO
  • CD68
  • CD8a
  • FoxP3
  • Pan-keratin

Human Immune
Activation Panel

Allows for the phenotyping of
activated T cells.

  • Granzyme B
  • Ki-67
  • PD-1
  • PD-L1

For a list of antibodies validated for use in IMC using Maxpar® OnDemand Antibodies click the button below.

How it Works

Choose Your Panel

With IMC, 40+ markers can be visualized on a single slide. Select from standardized panel kits to begin. Then, expand your panel by selecting from the Visikol extensive suite of pathologist verified antibodies. Visikol can also validate additional antibodies to add to your panel based on our specific question.

Visikol Labels Tissues

A researcher will send their tissues to Visikol as a prepared slide, a tissue block or a wet-fixed tissue sample. The team at Visikol will then label your tissue with your chosen panel of antibodies. Additional control tissues can be used for the project depending upon the specific application.

Visikol Acquires Tissue Images and Generates Imaging Data

The team at Visikol works closely with clients to determine the specific region of interest on a slide which should be imaged. With IMC, whole slide imaging is typically not needed,  thus Visikol works closely with a client to identify specific areas of interest on each slide.

Visikol Conducts Image Analysis

Once the imaging data is generated, the image analysis team at Visikol works to transform the multiplex data set into an actionable insight based upon deep phenotyping and quantitative data (e.g., cell distribution, cell colocalization, cell counts).

Visikol Provides a Quantitative Report

The last component of every IMC project is to provide the client with a detailed report that allows them to explore their specific research questions. Additionally, the IMC imaging data is shared with the client using the cloud-based BitSlide platform.