Microscopy and cellular imaging has hitherto been amenable to small-scale experimental samples. New approaches to cell-based analysis are required to meet the demanding needs of cell-biology, genetics and experimental therapeutics. At the core is the need to convert images into numbers, this is a significant challenge which would greatly enhance the ability of the biologist to effectively interrogate and interpret complex data. To achieve large-scale imaging experiments we need to address critical issues of data bottlenecks. High-throughput screening instrumentation has been available in the commercial sector for the last five years, therefore the objective is to bring these capabilities to academia. Such equipment not only greatly augments research capacity but provides new opportunities taking a systems approach to cell-biology.