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The zenCELL owl is a compact 24-channel incubator microscope for fully automated, label-free live cell imaging. It monitors up to 24 wells simultaneously, directly inside your CO₂ incubator — without removing cells, without fluorescent stains, without interrupting your experiment. Connect via USB, start the software, and monitor your cell cultures remotely from any PC, 24/7.
The zenCELL owl is a cost-effective alternative to high-end live cell analysis systems — with a compact footprint, no maintenance, no mechanical parts, and an installation time of under 10 minutes.
Available exclusively from SeamlessBio for Germany and the DACH region. Free online demonstration available. 2-week in-house trial on request.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Channels | 24 independent cameras — monitor up to 24 wells simultaneously |
| Magnification | 10× (standard) | 14× (high-detail) |
| Image resolution | 5 MP (5 MP CMOS sensor per channel) |
| Field of view | 1.2 × 0.9 mm per channel |
| Light source | LED (brightfield, label-free) |
| Imaging interval | From 1 minute — freely adjustable |
| Export formats | Images: PNG / JPG | Data: CSV |
| Connection | USB 3.0 — no external power supply required (5V USB) |
| Dimensions | 18× 18× 10.5 cm | 1.05 kg |
| Compatible vessels |
24-well plates, 6-well plates, flasks, dishes (brand-specific adapters available) |
| Price | see below |
The integrated software automatically calculates three core parameters in real time — no manual analysis required:
| Parameter | Description | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Confluence measurement | Automated % surface coverage per well, calculated continuously in each imaging interval | Growth monitoring, passage timing, seeding density optimisation |
| Performance measurement | Relative cell count and proliferation kinetics over the full experiment duration | Compound effect analysis, dose-response curves, long-term growth studies |
| Time-lapse imaging | Image sequences at user-defined intervals — from 1 minute to 24 hours | Migration assays, scratch assays, morphology tracking, cytotoxicity studies |
| Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Cytotoxicity assays | Monitor cell morphology and confluence changes continuously after compound addition. Capture every time-point — retrospective analysis possible at any stage. Validated in peer-reviewed publications (Archives of Toxicology, Toxins). |
| Cell culture monitoring | Automated 24/7 monitoring of adherent cell cultures. Never miss the optimal passage time or compound addition window. Suitable for primary cells, established cell lines (HeLa, HEK293, H9c2, HUVEC, Caco-2, PC-12 and others). |
| Scratch / wound healing assay | Quantitative, label-free tracking of wound closure kinetics in real time. Monitor migration velocity and directionality over 24–72 hours without removing cells from the incubator. |
| 3D spheroid & organoid monitoring | Non-invasive imaging of spheroid size, growth, and structural integrity over days and weeks. Validated with Caco-2 spheroids, MCF-7 spheroids and organoid models. |
| Transfection & viral vector monitoring | Track cell density and morphology changes during and after transfection or viral transduction. Identify optimal harvest windows without disrupting the culture. |
| Drug safety & toxicology | Label-free detection of proliferation inhibition vs. acute cell death — distinguish cytostatic from cytotoxic effects without endpoint assays. Used in published cardio/nephrotoxicity studies. |
Traditional fluorescence imaging requires dyes or genetic reporters that can alter cell physiology, introduce phototoxicity, and add significant cost and preparation time. The zenCELL owl uses brightfield imaging only — cells remain unmodified, unstained, and in their optimal physiological state throughout the entire experiment. This makes it ideal for primary cells, sensitive cell types, and long-term studies where fluorescent labelling is not feasible.
| Add-On | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature Monitoring Module | Independent temperature sensor for incubator monitoring. Provides redundant temperature control — alerts if incubator malfunctions and temperature deviates from set point. Protects long-term experiments and irreplaceable primary cell cultures. | €500 |
| PC (on request) | Dedicated PC for running zenCELL owl software — pre-configured and ready to use. Available on request. | On request |
| Video recording (on request) | Time-lapse video export capability via dedicated software module with product training. Available on request. | On request |
| HTS Robot System (coming soon) | Automated robotic add-on for high-throughput screening of 96-well and 384-well plates. Can be ordered later as an upgrade. Contact us for pre-registration. | Coming soon |
Brand-specific adapters ensure optimal fit and imaging quality for your preferred consumables:
| Item No. | Adapter for |
|---|---|
| 315101 | Eppendorf® 6-well / 24-well |
| 315206 | Greiner Bio-One® 6-well / 24-well |
| 315302 | Falcon® 24-well |
| 315904 | Kartell® / TPP® 24-well |
| 315908 | Corning® 24-well |
| 315402 | Fischerbrand® 24-well |
| 315XXX | Sarstedt® 24-well |
Other plate formats on request. A moveable stage for 96-well compatibility is in development (coming soon).
The zenCELL owl has been used in multiple peer-reviewed publications across toxicology, vascular biology, immunotherapy, and 3D cell culture research:
| Study | Journal | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Hsieh et al. (2023) — Long-term label-free monitoring of endothelial cell migration and morphology | eLife (Reviewed Preprint) | HUVEC migration tracking, scratch assay, vascular biology |
| Merches et al. (2022) — Remdesivir cardio/nephrotoxicity in vitro | Archives of Toxicology, 96(8) | H9c2, NRK-52E — proliferation vs. cell death discrimination |
| Zheng et al. (2023) — ARMFUL liposome for adoptive cell immunotherapy | Science Advances, 9(32) | Macrophage engineering, immune cell monitoring |
| Zeng & Chen (2022) — Cytotoxicity analysis using live cell imaging | International Core Journal of Engineering | 293T cells, CMECs — H₂O₂ and Doxorubicin cytotoxicity |
| Ferreira et al. (2023) — Mycotoxin cytotoxicity on spheroids and 2D cultures | Toxins, 15(6) | Caco-2 spheroids — 3D vs 2D model comparison |
Not sure if the zenCELL owl fits your workflow? We offer:
Contact us to schedule your demo or trial: info@seamlessbio.de | +49 851 37932226
The zenCELL owl requires no specialist installation:
No external power supply, no gas connections, no calibration. Total setup time: under 10 minutes. The housing is fully closed and sterilisable with isopropanol.
| What we offer | Description |
|---|---|
| Authorised distributor | SeamlessBio is an official zenCELL owl distributor for the DACH region — listed on the manufacturer's partner page |
| Free online demo | Live system walkthrough before purchase |
| 2-week in-house trial | Test in your lab, on your cells, before you commit |
| Direct contact | No sales pipeline — direct technical and commercial support from Passau |
| Serum & media expertise | We also supply FBS, Human Serum, HSA and other cell culture biologicals — one partner for device and consumables |
Questions? Contact us directly: info@seamlessbio.de | +49 851 37932226 | shop.seamlessbio.de
The zenCELL owl is optimised for adherent cell cultures — confluence measurement and morphology tracking work best with cells attached to a surface. For suspension cells, contact us to discuss your specific application.
Yes — the zenCELL owl fits in any standard CO₂ incubator. Its compact size (18 × 10.5 × 18 cm, 1.05 kg) leaves room for additional cultures or multiple zenCELL owl units in the same incubator.
The minimum interval is 1 minute (depending on PC performance). For most applications, 10–30 minute intervals are sufficient. Long-term experiments can run continuously over days or weeks.
No — the zenCELL owl uses brightfield (label-free) imaging only. No dyes, no reporters, no phototoxicity risk. Cells remain in their natural, unmodified state throughout the entire experiment.
Time-lapse videos can be recorded with a dedicated software module. This requires a separate software add-on and product training — available on request. Contact us: info@seamlessbio.de
The zenCELL owl base package includes: incubator microscope, USB 3.0 cable, adapter for 24-well plate, and free software. Brand-specific adapters for other plate formats are available separately.
Yes — we offer a free online demonstration and a 2-week in-house trial. The device is shipped to your lab and you test it on your own cells before making a decision. Contact us: info@seamlessbio.de
https://zencellowl.com/publication/
The zenCELL owl Live Cell Imager integrates a state-of-the-art 24-channel incubator microscope, enabling simultaneous live cell imaging across multiple samples. This high-throughput capacity improves experimental efficiency while maintaining optimal incubation conditions, such as precise temperature and humidity control. By facilitating long-term live cell monitoring without the need for labels, this microscope supports a wide range of cell biology applications. Researchers benefit from real-time data acquisition, precise environmental regulation, and scalability for large experiments, making zenCELL owl an essential tool in modern cell research.
One of the most innovative features of the zenCELL owl Live Cell Imager is its label-free imaging technology. It allows researchers to observe living cells naturally, without the interference or toxicity of fluorescent dyes or markers. This non-invasive approach preserves cell integrity and physiological function, providing authentic insights into cell behavior, morphology, and dynamics over extended periods. The label-free system enhances reproducibility and reduces sample preparation time, empowering scientists to study delicate processes such as cell migration, division, and differentiation with unparalleled accuracy.
The zenCELL owl offers advanced real-time monitoring capabilities essential for dynamic cellular studies. Equipped with user-friendly software, it captures and analyzes live cell data with high accuracy and efficiency. Researchers can set automated time-lapse imaging schedules, monitor cell cultures remotely, and generate quantitative data reports. This real-time access helps accelerate discovery by enabling immediate observation of cellular responses to various stimuli. Overall, the comprehensive data acquisition and analysis suite streamline research workflows and boost productivity in live cell imaging applications.
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