Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2025
Simultaneous Imaging and Flow-Cytometry-based Detection of Multiple Fluorescent Senescence Markers in Therapy-Induced Senescent Cancer Cells
Published on: July 12, 2022
High-throughput assessment of cellular senescence
Giulia Cerrato1, Allan Sauvat1, Félix Peyre1
1Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, Université Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France; Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Inserm U1138, Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France.
This study presents a new method for detecting cellular senescence, a key aging process, using standard microscopes and automated image analysis. This high-throughput tool aids in studying senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Aging Research
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cellular senescence is a complex biological process triggered by various stressors.
- It involves cell cycle arrest and characteristic phenotypic changes, including the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).
- Detecting senescence is crucial for understanding aging and age-related diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an automation-compatible method for detecting cellular senescence.
- To establish a high-throughput tool for assessing senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity.
- To enable automated analysis of cellular senescence using advanced imaging techniques.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a conventional fluorescent microscope with a transmitted light module for SA-β-gal activity detection.
- Developed a protocol for automated senescence analysis employing convolutional neural networks (CNNs).
- Integrated mathematical morphology for enhanced image analysis of senescent cells.
Main Results:
- Successfully established a detailed method for SA-β-gal detection, a hallmark of cellular senescence.
- Implemented an automated analysis protocol for high-throughput assessment of senescent cells.
- The developed toolset combines light microscopy with automated image analysis for efficient senescence evaluation.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a valuable toolset for the high-throughput assessment of cellular senescence.
- This method facilitates the study of SA-β-gal activity and SASP in various biological contexts.
- The integration of microscopy and automated analysis offers a robust approach to senescence research.
