The SemaCyte® Platform

SemaCyte® cell microcarriers leverage novel materials physics to move and freeze cells while retaining their adherent morphology. Our approach introduces flexibility, speed, and miniaturisation into existing drug discovery workflows. This unique approach to cell based assays makes it possible to produce better data, faster.

SemaCytes function as ultra-miniaturised, mobile wells which carry small colonies of adherent cells. These flat, walled cell microcarriers can be moved with liquid handling tools and their orientation can be controlled magnetically. SemaCytes can be used to measure additional experimental endpoints, prepare adherent assay-ready cells, and reduce the number of cells per well.

Enabling More Powerful Workflows with Cell Microcarriers

Move cells
while retaining their
adherent morphology

Increase assay flexibility and enable further workflow automation

e.g. subsample adherent cells to measure additional endpoints

Freeze adherent assay-ready cells in cryovials for on-demand use

Reduce assay preparation time to increase throughput by 2- to 20-fold

e.g. adherent assay-ready cells for rapid design-make-test-analyse cycles

Place less cells per well
while still retaining
high local confluency

Reduce the amount of adherent
cells per assay by 5- to 50-fold

e.g. ultra-miniaturise assays with primary cell materials in 96- or 384-well plates
Our SemaCyte Starter Kit is available through our Early Adopter Programme. For use cases and examples, have a look at the product page or our brochure.
Find Out More

Seamless Integration with Workflows

SemaCytes are created with microfabrication technologies, combining nanomagnetism, smart materials, and surface engineering.

Cell seeding can be done as usual by simply pipetting cells on arrays of immobilised SemaCytes.

Once the correct confluency and morphology is achieved, the SemaCytes are released into suspension for direct use or cryopreservation.

Cell-containing SemaCytes are dispensed into a well plate for screening assays involving plate readers or microscopes.

Play Video

SemaCytes are magnetically controlled, but do not interact with each other.

Resources

SemaCyte Brochure (2-page): Barcode & Multiplex Adherent Cells for Data-Rich High Content Screening

Platform
Barcode & Multiplex Adherent Cells for Data-Rich High Content Screening: SemaCyte® microcarriers are ultra-miniaturised, barcoded “micro-wells” that turn adherent cells into automation-ready reagents. They allow adherened cells to be moved, cryopreserved, pooled, and screened with the same ease as suspension cells. Fully compatible with automated 384-well workflows, SemaCytes enable cell multiplexing: multiple engineered or primary cell models can be combined in a single well for richer high-content data at higher throughput.
Download resource

SemaCyte Brochure (8-page): Microcarriers for More Powerful Assaying Workflows

Platform
The SemaCyte® microcarrier platform leverages advanced material science to barcode, move, and cryopreserve adherent cells within your assay workflows. SemaCytes seamlessly integrate with microplate-based assays, boosting throughput, flexibility, and efficiency. Unlock better data faster from a diverse range of adherent cell assays using your existing tools and equipment.
Download resource

Scalable & High-Fidelity Antibody Screening - SemaCyte® Microcarriers to Barcode and Multiplex Engineered Cells for Accelerated Imaging-Based Worflows

Applications
The SemaCyte® platform enables scalable, high-fidelity antibody screening by pooling multiple adherent cell models within a single microwell. Optically barcoded microcarriers support dye-free multiplexing for binding and functional assays using high-content imaging. This imaging-based workflow eliminates reliance on flow cytometry, offering a more robust and accessible alternative. Application examples demonstrate 3-plex specificity and orthologue screens with strong assay performance (Z′ > 0.6) using 50-100 cells per model. By miniaturising workflows and enabling frozen, assay-ready cell banks, SemaCytes reduce cost, variability, and resource use—streamlining early antibody discovery.
Download resource
View All Resources