Analysis of Stem Cell Differentiation Using the Operetta High Content Imaging System

It has been suggested that human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) can be used for tissue engineering and compounds that drive hMSCs to a distinct lineage decision are therefore of great importance. In this application note, the Operetta® High Content Imaging System from PerkinElmer was used to study the cellular changes associated with adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs. The accumulation of intracellular lipid droplets was measured in order to classify cells that had already differentiated into adipocytes. The high content imaging approach allowed for the changes in the actin cytoskeleton, which have been associated with the progressing differentiation of hMSCs, to be determined.