# Label-free cell viability assays using Phase Imaging with Computational Specificity

> **NIH NIH R44** · PHI OPTICS, INC. · 2023 · $649,893

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Viable cell concentration is one of the most important key performance indicator during upstream technologies
in mammalian cell culture. Customer Discovery discussions with biopharma execs and R&D specialists revealed
there is an unmet need for on-line/in-line monitoring of cell viability in pharma bioreactors driven by compliance
with real-time product quality assurance as described in Process Analytical Technology (PAT) and Quality by
Design initiatives.
Preliminary work equivalent to Phase I effort has resulted in a cell imaging system including a flow cell setup that
simulates an on-line stirring bioreactor sampling route. Proof-of-concept was also established for detection and
classification of live/dead assays using digital staining via PICS (Phase Imaging with Computational Specificity).
This Small Business Innovation Research project proposes to build a commercial prototype instrument for real
time, quantitative and high-throughput cell viability scoring for on-line/in-line bioreactor monitoring that meets the
metrics of interest for pharma R&D applications. During this effort the standard operation of the QPI+PICS
instrument will be refined and the automated software detection and classification of live/dead assays will be
completed.
At the end of this Direct Phase II project we will deliver a commercial prototype -a “push-of-a-button” viability
scanner with the above capabilities built in.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10620330
- **Project number:** 5R44GM145168-02
- **Recipient organization:** PHI OPTICS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** CATALIN CHIRITESCU
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $649,893
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-05-10 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10620330

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10620330, Label-free cell viability assays using Phase Imaging with Computational Specificity (5R44GM145168-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10620330. Licensed CC0.

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