IACS eXplorer

Groundbreaking Advancement in Assay-Driven Cell Sorting

IACS eXplorer represents a breakthrough in biomedical technology, blending cutting-edge innovation with practical applications in personalized medicine, drug discovery, microbiological research, and biological studies.

The IACS eXplorer is a fully integrated, automated analysis platform for real-time, high-throughput generation, analysis, and sorting of droplets and their contents. Designed to operate seamlessly with microfluidic chips, it combines bright-field imaging with fluorescence detection across up to four simultaneously usable channels.

This powerful I-FADS setup enables highly precise sorting of cells, spheroids, microorganisms, algae, and other particles within droplets.

Beyond advanced single-cell and particle analytics, the IACS eXplorer also serves as an automated video microscope and supports inline quality control workflows, making it a versatile tool for research and industrial applications alike.

The IACS eXplorer sets a new standard in droplet‑based analysis by combining highly precise droplet control with an exceptionally user‑friendly workflow. Every step – from droplet formation to data interpretation – is engineered for consistency, while the interface guides users through even advanced analytical routines with ease.

At the core of the system is its ability to visualize and evaluate the behavior of individual cells and microorganisms in real time, with the option to operate entirely label‑free. Instead of serving only as a monitoring tool, image data actively determines sorting actions. This makes it possible to select droplets based on morphological patterns, dynamic interactions between organisms, or specific functional responses. The platform’s high throughput, strong post‑sorting cell viability, and sterile handling environment ensure robust and reliable results.

By isolating patient‑derived cells according to their unique reactions to treatments, the system supports the development of personalized therapeutic concepts that reflect the biological response of each individual. Beyond medical applications, the platform is equally powerful in drug discovery, antibody and enzyme screening, microbiology, environmental analysis, and food safety workflows, making it an adaptable solution for diverse scientific and industrial challenges.

Plug-and-Play I-FADS	The IACS eXplorer is ready for operation within one hour of introductory training, thanks to its fully integrated and automated design. Users benefit from smooth sample loading, guided workflows, and intuitive software that simplifies every step – from basic experiments to complete assay development or inline quality control.
Advanced Analysis & Sorting	Sort droplets using comprehensive datasets derived from both bright‑field and multi‑channel fluorescence imaging. Each event is clickable, revealing its full image stack, including all fluorescence channels. Gate your samples using any combination of parameters, enabling highly sophisticated assays and precise isolation of specific subpopulations.
Unlimited Recording Times	Ideal for detecting rare events, the system’s smart data‑handling strategy stores only relevant information, allowing experiments to run for extended periods—even several days—without generating unmanageable data volumes.
Dual Analysis & Observation Areas	Work more efficiently with two simultaneously accessible analysis and observation regions. Monitor your sorting process in real time, perform inline QC, or visualize different microfluidic channels in parallel for deeper insights.
Modular & Extensible Analysis Tools	Freely combine the built‑in analysis modules for complex applications or extend the platform with custom software, tailored to specialized research needs or proprietary workflows.
Fully Automated Microscope	Leverage the IACS eXplorer as a versatile microscope with up to four selectable magnifications, enabling detailed imaging workflows.

Imaging Sensor	High-performance camera with integrated analysis and feature extraction
Frame Rate	210 fps @ 1280×1024 px, up to 10000 fps @ 400×32 px, monochrome, 10bit color depth
Sensitivity	Wavelength range 300-1000 nm, 58% QE @ 550nm peak ; 62% QE @ 630nm; global shutter
Readout Regions	2 freely selectable, simultaneous readout regions, e.g. for two stage processes, immediate quality control or parallelization
Latency	Image capturing to analysis result <200 microseconds, control precision <10 nanoseconds
Outputs	6 flash outputs for light control; 2 trigger for sorting / device control (3.3V TTL)
Interfacing	C-mount; Ethernet; DVI-D; USB
Software	User-friendly and feature-rich graphical user-interface for observation, analysis, and control
Analysis	Real-time analysis of various detection parameters like size, velocity, position, granularity, circumference etc.
Gating	Freely configurable gating; graphical marking in scatter plot; arbitrary points polygon
Triggers	Freely programmable and independent triggers; latency down to 200µs (frame rate dependent)
Storage Format	RAW; AVI uncompressed; MJPEG; MP4; XLS; XLSX; CSV (infinite recording)
Multi-Color	Up to 4 simultaneous imaging settings by time multiplexing (e.g. bright field and three different fluorescent colors)
Flow Control	Precise control of flow and droplets via software-based closed-loop feedback
Pressure Control	4 channels, up to 2000 mbar
Droplet Parameters	Supports droplet diameters from tens to hundreds of micrometers, with tunable size and generation frequency.
All-in-one Solution	Fully integrated and automated analysis system
Microscope	Fully automized microscope (XYZ stage) featuring fully corrected and automized Köhler optics; motorized four-position objective turret
Sample Holder	Easy-access sample holder stage for Sensific sample holders or chips and open compatibility. Accommodates up to six microfluidic reservoirs (1.5 mL, 2 mL or 15 mL). Other sample holders on request.
Laser saftey	Laser proof casing with interlock for Class 1 laser safety rating and electric shock hazard mitigation.
Size (LWH/mm)	690 x 400 x 530 (compatible with most laminar flow systems)

Download the full IACS eXplorer Specification

Sorting Method	Active Dielectrophoretic
Sorting Efficiency, Selectivity, Purity	Up to 99 % demonstrated
Droplet Sizes	10 µm to 1 mm diameter
Detection Methods	Bright field image; Phase contrast image; Fluorescence 408 nm image; Fluorescence 488 nm image; Fluorescence 532 nm image; Fluorescence 561 nm image; Fluorescence 638 nm image
Detection Parameters	Brightness/intensity; brightness contrast; circumference; area; surface roughness; colocalization; fluorescence colocalization; particle count; area contrast; fill factor; elongation; circularity; size; velocity; position; granularity; removal of small dirt particles; area of no contrast; contrast within particles; particles touching walls; particles touching image boundaries; particle position; particle velocity
Integration Options	adaptable microfluidic chips (no vendor lock); adaptable lasers; adaptable sample stages; adaptable fluorescence filter sets; inline droplet generation or reinjection; sterilization
Quality Control	In-line, multispectral image per particle pre & post sorting; all droplets recorded
Sample Viability	Further downstream usage of the sample; maximized cell viability
Assay-based Sorting	Yes

Download the full IACS eXplorer Specification

(Singel) Cell Sorting

(Single) Cell Analysis

Cell Therapy

Drug Discovery

Drop-Seq

(RNA) Sequencing

Bacteria Analysis & Sorting

Algae Analysis & Sorting

Yeast Analysis & Sorting

Particle Analysis & Sorting

Sperm Analysis & Sorting

Spheroid Generation & Sorting

Droplet Generation, Manipulation, Analysis & Sorting

Microscopy

IACS eXplorer Specification

Flyer IACS eXplorer

Pioneer Cell Therapy & Personalized Medicine

The IACS eXplorer supports the development of next‑generation therapies through precise cell manipulation, viability assessment, and streamlined development workflows. Its real strength lies in sorting based on individual cellular responses, enabling accurate isolation of potent immune cells such as NK, CAR‑T, or TILs. This provides deep functional insights across many assay conditions and environment types, enabling the following applications, among others:

Cell Therapy: Rapid enrichment of functional immune cells like CAR-T, NK or others and detailed viability assessments to increase consistency in therapeutic production. Accurately count and characterize ECFCs and similar clinically relevant cell types for regenerative medicine and therapeutic research.
Cell Line Development: Greater clonality, faster screening, and higher viability enable robust and reproducible cell‑line generation.
Personalized Therapeutics: Supports individualized treatment strategies tailored to specific patient needs.
Real‑Time Visual QC: Monitor and adjust experiments live to ensure optimal quality and outcomes.
Boost Therapeutic Impact: Improve the precision and reliability of cellular interventions.
Accelerate Innovation: Shorten development times and streamline the path to clinical translation.

Advance Drug Discovery & Antibody Screening

Our fully integrated I‑FADS platform combines assay‑based analysis with advanced sorting, allowing you to identify and isolate cells according to defined biological interactions. This provides a deeper understanding of functional responses, including efficacy and the key mechanisms driving them. Unlike conventional cell sorters that focus mainly on morphology, our system captures real‑time cellular behavior and direct functional reactions.

Antibody Discovery and Screening: Accelerates the identification, optimization, and high‑throughput screening of B cells, with detailed insights into antibody–antigen binding dynamics.
Drug Discovery & Bioactivity Assays: Utilizes droplet‑based kinetic measurements and sorting to precisely assess enzyme activity, antibody affinity, and drug–cell interactions.
Immunoassays & Disease Models: Run measurements to quantify cellular responses in immunoassays or disease‑model systems, enabling precise evaluation of functional effects.
Organoid Generation & Real‑Time Screening: Supports efficient organoid formation and enables continuous, high‑throughput functional screening in 3D systems.

Deepen Your Microbiological Understanding

Our technology makes it possible to directly observe the individual reactions of microorganisms and cells – fully label‑free if needed. Depending on your workflow, our systems operate with imaging‑based detection, fluorescence‑based detection, or an integrated combination of both. Images are not only used for inspection; they directly inform sorting decisions. This enables sorting based on spatial arrangement, organism–organism interactions, or specific functional responses. High sorting speeds, excellent viability, and complete sterility further elevate performance. Explore the following applications, among others:

Isolate High Performers: Detect and isolate high‑yield bacteria or cells producing valuable metabolites, food components, or drug molecules.
Investigate Behavior: Analyze individual bacteria, algae, yeast, or other cells by quantifying key biological parameters.
Host–Pathogen Interaction Studies: Encapsulate immune cells with pathogens to study killing mechanisms, phagocytosis kinetics, or NET formation in controlled micro-environments.
Microbiology Research: Enables high‑throughput characterization and sorting of microbial species for growth assays and phenotypic profiling.
Environmental Monitoring & Food Safety: Rapidly pre‑screen and accurately sort pathogenic organisms from water or food samples for compliance and safety.

Drive Progress in Biological Research

Our advanced platform delivers highly precise analysis and sorting of cells, microorganisms, and particles, supporting critical studies such as pathogen identification, antibiotic‑resistance mechanisms, and mechanistic investigations. It strengthens your sequencing workflows and integrates seamlessly at various stages of your research pipeline. This includes applications such as:

Sort by Defined Features: Select cells based on co‑localization, morphology, or specific numbers of interacting cells.
Perform Complete Assays: Use droplet microfluidics as miniature reaction chambers for low‑volume, high‑precision assays. Observe and sort based on cell–cell interactions, communication patterns, and functional responses in co‑culture systems, e.g. by combining floating cells with other cell types to study interactions.
Synthetic Biology & Genomics: Perform high‑throughput screening of genetic variants and functional droplets, advancing pathway engineering and synthetic biology projects.
Fundamental Life Science Research: Experience real‑time quantitative observation of processes such as signaling or cell–cell communication.

N Fully Integrated & Automated I-FADS: Capture droplets and their contents in real time while reducing data storage requirements by up to 95%. Perform encapsulation, analysis, sorting, and quality control seamlessly within a single unified platform.

N Advanced Visualization: Access multi‑color and fluorescent imaging with up to four parallel channels for deeper and more precise sample insights.

N Speed & Efficiency: Boost both efficiency and efficacy of your encapsulation and sorting process to unmatched performance levels.

N Instant Quality Control: Real-time, fully integrated data analysis eliminates the need for extensive post‑processing – even at analysis rates exceeding 2,000 droplets per second.

N User-Friendly Interface: Gate your sample in just seconds with our intuitive interface. Measure 30+ object parameters – including size, velocity, position, and contrast – in real time.

N Integrated Analysis: Combine morphological features and fluorescent markers analysis in a single step, in any configuration you need to perform your assay.

N Efficient Sorting: Count, measure, and filter with ease to identify and isolate top performers. Use our microfluidic chips – or seamlessly integrate your own – to achieve your specific sorting goals.

N Sterility Assured: Maintain high cell viability and preserve sterility with fully enclosed channel designs that protect your samples throughout the entire workflow.

N Ultra-Sharp Imaging: Achieve crystal‑clear images using our ultra‑short, pulsed illumination technology. Count, measure, and filter with ease to confidently identify and isolate high‑performers.

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