• Unattended and automated imaging of interphase nuclei and FISH signals with focus stacking on up to 800 slides per run, reducing manual labor and increasing lab efficiency.
• Enhanced expert review with RapidScore empowers experts to efficiently evaluate data using the RapidScore keyboard that facilitates expert review by displaying spot patterns specific to probe layouts, allowing for swift confirmation or modification of spot pattern suggestions.
• Supports blinded review for multiple evaluators, ensuring unbiased results and facilitating collaboration among team members.
• Adaptable to various probes, preparation methods, and color channels, ensuring a smooth transition to digital signal counting without the need for a complete process overhaul.
• Presents outcomes in an Image Gallery format alongside comprehensive data tables and graphs, offering a holistic view of the evaluation results.
• Neon, the case and image management technology, provides quick access to case information and offers visually appealing reports tailored for data presentation and sharing.
• Integrates with existing LIMS for efficient management of FISH cases and data exchange.
• Our sister company MetaSystems Probes manufactures the XCyting FISH Probes that are a great match with the Metafer Customization Package Spot Counting.

The traditional manual evaluation method is time-consuming, repetitive, prone to errors, and often conducted in low-light conditions, leading to fatigue and decreased accuracy. Additionally, there's a lack of comprehensive image documentation and checks according to the four-eyes principle.

Recognizing the need for a more streamlined and reliable solution, MetaSystems introduces the Metafer Customization Package Spot Counting, designed to transform FISH spot counting workflows from labor-intensive to efficient. At its core, the customization package leverages the power of automation to automate tedious tasks, reducing manual labor and ensuring consistency in the evaluation of FISH signals. By incorporating advanced technology and tailored configurations, laboratories can optimize their processes, save time and improve overall productivity.

Automated Image Acquisition

Search Information Files (SIFs) are generated either by your compatible LIMS or manually in the Metafer software. SIFs may contain data on slide quantity, FISH probe specifics (including layouts like Dual Color Break Apart, Dual Fusion, etc.), and hybridization patterns on the individual specimens. Each slide can be recognized by a barcode and is linked to its respective case and culture.

Metafer identifies the slides, either by their bar codes or by manual input, loads the according SIF, and executes the scans. The system automatically captures cell nuclei and FISH signals, enabling focus stacking for imaging signals on various focal planes. The outcome comprises a compilation of nucleus images presented in a Gallery format, along with spot pattern recommendations, and a summary display through graphical representations and tables.

RapidScore Review and Reporting

A cornerstone of the Metafer Customization Package Spot Counting is the RapidScore review process, which empowers experts to efficiently evaluate data with precision and accuracy. RapidScore provides a swift and intuitive method for assessing FISH spot patterns, allowing experts to focus on areas of interest and identify anomalies with ease. This combination of automation and human expertise enhances the quality of the evaluation process, enabling researchers to make well-informed decisions based on a thorough analysis of the data.

The RapidScore workflow offers a swift way to review and assess the Metafer output. The RapidScore keyboard showcases spot patterns specific to the probe layout on the keys. Pressing a key allows for the confirmation or modification of Metafer suggestions, and the associated nucleus is marked as reviewed. If the user identifies any extra signal patterns not shown on the keyboard during the assessment, these can be effortlessly included in the evaluation process.

When involving multiple evaluators per slide, results blinding becomes crucial. Metafer addresses this with the CellReview window, displaying a processed and an unprocessed image of the nucleus together with representations of the individual color channels. An overview display provides the context around the nucleus. After a set number of evaluated nuclei, the file can be transferred to the next evaluator (up to five independent evaluators), ensuring blinded results to prevent influence.

Once data collection is complete and the cytogenetics experts have concluded their review, multiple avenues exist for presenting the outcomes. Neon incorporates an inherent Reporting Interface tailored precisely for this function, streamlining the generation of individualized and visually captivating reports. Furthermore, data can be effortlessly extracted from Neon — such as returning it to the LIMS — or combined into comprehensive statistical queries to facilitate summarization.

How does the Metafer Customization Package Spot Counting address the challenges of the traditional manual evaluation of FISH signals?
MetaSystems proposes a workflow that integrates automation and human expertise to streamline FISH spot counting. Configurations created as part of this package aim to reduce processing time and enhance lab efficiency.

How does the workflow integrate with existing laboratory procedures?
The Customization Package Spot Counting provides a flexible workflow that is adaptable to various locus-specific probes. It seamlessly manages diverse probe layouts, preparation methods, and color channels, allowing for a smooth transition to digital signal counting.

Can you describe the digitization process with Metafer?
Metafer identifies slides using barcodes or manual input, loads corresponding Search Information Files (SIFs), and executes scans. It automatically captures cell nuclei and FISH signals, generating a compilation of nucleus images, spot pattern recommendations, and a summary display.

What is the RapidScore review process?
RapidScore is a crucial step in the workflow that allows experts to efficiently evaluate data by focusing on areas of interest and identifying anomalies. This process combines automation and human insight to draw well-informed conclusions from the data.

How does the RapidScore keyboard enhance the expert review process?
The RapidScore keyboard displays anticipated spot patterns specific to the probe layout on its keys, allowing experts to swiftly confirm or modify spot suggestions with a keystroke. Experts can easily include unlisted patterns during evaluation.

What features are available in the Image Gallery and Data Display?
The Image Gallery displays identified nuclei alongside FISH signals, allowing users to zoom in and navigate through focal planes. Data is categorized and presented in tables and graphs, with a summary of expert-validated outcomes for each nucleus.

How are outcomes presented and shared after the review process?
Neon, the case and image management technology, presents Metafer outcomes and offers quick access to case information. Reports can be generated using Neon's Reporting Interface, and data can be extracted for integration with the LIMS or for statistical analysis.

Can you provide a case study example?
Sure, one case study involved a U.S. laboratory conducting analyses on probe panels for various conditions. The use case showed significant time savings using the Metafer-based workflow with RapidScore compared to manual, paper-based analysis.