Automated Cell Culture System for Drug Discovery

This technical report outlines the development and functionality of the CellXpress.ai Automated Cell Culture System, designed to enhance efficiency in drug discovery through automation. The system integrates various components, including a liquid handler, incubator, imager, and AI-enabled image analysis, all controlled by a single software platform. It addresses challenges in implementing end-to-end automation by providing a modular workflow design that allows flexibility in protocol design. The report details the automation of three biological workflows: induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), colorectal cancer organoids, and spheroids. Each workflow is described in terms of automated processes such as seeding, feeding, imaging, and analysis, with AI monitoring cell morphology and confluence. The report emphasizes the importance of AI-driven decision-making in optimizing growth conditions and ensuring reliable results in high-throughput environments. Additionally, it discusses the integration of image-based AI for monitoring and decision-making in cell culture processes.