Single Cell Imaging Services for TME Components

Relying on the technology platform of the tumor microenvironment center, Alfa Cytology provides a full range of services of single-cell imaging of TME constituents to help scientific researchers successfully achieve their research goals.

Introduction

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is the site between tumor cells and adjacent normal tissues and is composed of surrounding blood vessels, extracellular matrix, soluble molecules and tumor stromal cells (immune cells, fibroblasts, bone marrow-derived inflammatory cells). It is believed that "the tumor microenvironment is not just a silent bystander, but an active contributor to cancer progression". In the early stages of tumor growth, a dynamic reciprocal relationship develops between cancer cells and the components of the tumor microenvironment that support cancer cell survival, local invasion and metastatic spread. To overcome hypoxia and the acidic microenvironment, the tumor microenvironment coordinates programs that promote angiogenesis to restore oxygen and nutrient supply and remove metabolic waste products. Tumors become infiltrated by a variety of adaptive and innate immune cells that perform pro- and anti-tumorigenic functions. A growing body of literature on the tumor microenvironment has identified novel targets for therapeutic interventions within it.

The systematic study of the identification and tracking of components in the tumor microenvironment is a complex and challenging task, but by using the right tools, theoretical approaches and research systems, significant progress will be made in understanding the tumor microenvironment for tumor progression and treatment.

Fig. 1 Multicolor SERS imaging. (Chen Y, et al., 2016)

Services

Alfa Cytology has established the tumor microenvironment center technology platform with a large group of talented oncologists who are specialized in studying the tumor microenvironment through imaging, high-throughput single-cell and other techniques. In addition to sequencing and single-cell microfluidics, we are also vigorously developing new experimental techniques created using existing tools, and we will provide hypothesis testing or model validation to refine experiments.

For studies related to the identification and tracking of components of the tumor microenvironment, since imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography and hyperpolarized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lack sufficient resolution to study heterogeneity at the cellular level, for which researchers then need to perform cell culture and in vivo model development, as well as individually labeled cells in these models Alfa Cytology researchers have developed a novel technique to perform such studies: single cell imaging. This technology is used to provide high-quality services to collaborators who need them.

Note: Our services list is constantly being updated and improved, please contact us by email for more up-to-date and relevant information.

Advantages

• It allows in vivo, in situ, real-time access to the structural composition of cells during cellular physiology and pathology.
• It can capture information on the localization of multiple molecules and their interactions.
• It is essential for the interpretation of many cell biology problems and the study of early diagnosis and pathogenesis of major diseases.

Alfa Cytology is dedicated to supporting scientists in making groundbreaking scientific discoveries and developing new applications to accelerate new drug discovery and scientific diagnosis and treatment. We have established the Tumor Microenvironment Center technology platform with high performance scientific instruments and high value solutions to ensure high quality services that enable scientists to explore the mysteries of life at the tumor microenvironment level. Please let us know your project requirements and we will provide you with a comprehensive service from solution to report. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

1. Chen Y, et al. Alkyne-modulated surface-enhanced Raman scattering-palette for optical interference-free and multiplex cellular imaging[J]. Analytical chemistry, 2016, 88(12): 6115-6119.

All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.