An interview with Lindy O’Clair, Head of Incucyte® Product Management at Sartorius
3D cell models like spheroids and organoids are transforming the way we study complex biological processes—but they come with challenges. To meet this need, Sartorius has introduced the Incucyte® CX3, a next-generation live-cell analysis system designed specifically for high-throughput, hands-off imaging of 3D models.
We spoke with Lindy O’Clair, Head of Incucyte® Product Management, to learn more about this exciting advancement and what it means for researchers working at the forefront of cell biology.
Q: Lindy, what makes the Incucyte® CX3 such a breakthrough for 3D live-cell analysis?
Lindy O’Clair: The CX3 is our latest evolution of the Incucyte® platform, and we’re thrilled about what it brings to the table. It extends our hallmark capability—continuous, automated live-cell monitoring—to 3D models like spheroids and organoids. That’s a big deal for labs that need high-throughput data collection without manual intervention or compromising image quality.
Q: Why is 3D biology becoming so important in research today?
Lindy: 3D cell models offer a more physiologically relevant view of how cells behave in the human body. Compared to 2D cultures, they mimic real tissue environments more accurately. But they’re also harder to grow and analyze. That’s where the CX3 shines—it lets researchers monitor 3D models continuously inside the incubator, capturing real-time insights as cells grow, interact, and respond to treatment.
Q: How does the CX3 simplify this complex process?
Lindy: With the CX3, you’re not just collecting a static endpoint—you’re watching biology in motion. The system combines hands-off acquisition with fully automated analysis. It tracks cell growth, morphology, and function over time, using multiple imaging modes including spinning disc confocal, brightfield, widefield fluorescence, and HD phase contrast. The result is high-resolution, multi-dimensional data that reveals much more than a single snapshot ever could.
Q: Was scalability a priority in developing this system?
Lindy: Absolutely. The CX3 supports up to six microplates, which is a huge benefit for researchers in pharma, CROs, and academia. That kind of throughput accelerates timelines and increases experimental power—without sacrificing precision or reproducibility.
Q: Software often slows down workflows. How does the CX3 handle data analysis?
Lindy: We know image analysis can be a bottleneck, so we’ve streamlined it. The CX3 software is intuitive and automated—no imaging expertise required. It turns complex datasets into publication-ready graphs in just a few clicks. It’s all about enabling researchers to focus on their science, not the software.
Q: If you had to sum up the CX3 in one sentence, what would it be?
Lindy: The Incucyte® CX3 delivers automated, high-quality imaging and intuitive analysis for 3D biology—freeing scientists to focus on discovery, not device management.
Explore What’s Possible with the Incucyte® CX3
Discover how the CX3 is redefining 3D live-cell imaging. 🔗 Learn more at Sartorius.com