A recent review in Nature Reviews Bioengineering has shone the spotlight on the exciting field of image-activated cell sorting (IACS)—a next-generation approach that merges high-resolution imaging, real-time analysis, and cell sorting. Among the few commercially available systems mentioned, NanoCellect Biomedical’s VERLO™ Image-Guided Cell Sorter earned recognition for its unique blend of gentle microfluidics and advanced imaging capabilities.

Unlike traditional flow cytometry, which relies on one-dimensional fluorescence data, IACS uses rich, multi-dimensional images to capture both the physical and molecular signatures of cells. This enables researchers to sort based on morphology, intracellular marker localization, and even dynamic cell–cell interactions—traits that standard fluorescence profiles cannot capture.

The VERLO system stands out in this emerging space with nine-color fluorescence and three label-free imaging, powered by 488 nm and 561 nm lasers, and a gentle piezoelectric actuator-based microfluidic sorter. Operating at rates of up to 200 events per second, VERLO preserves cell viability while extracting detailed spatial information about cell shape, texture, and marker distribution.

NanoCellect’s VERLO is recognized in the paper as a capable and accessible IACS platform suited for high-content, morphology- and fluorescence-based cell sorting. It is applicable across cell biology, immunology, oncology, microbiology, and synthetic biology for tasks such as:

• Morphology-based screens
• Intracellular localization studies
• Cell–cell interaction analysis

By coupling gentle, high-content sorting with advanced imaging and analysis, NanoCellect’s VERLO is helping to make image-guided cell sorting accessible to a wider community of scientists. As Nature Reviews Bioengineering points out, the arrival of platforms like VERLO marks a turning point—transforming what was once a niche, custom-built technology into a powerful, commercially available tool for discovery across biology, medicine, and biotechnology.