MetaCell

MetaCell is a world-leading software company specializing in life science technology, with a mission to accelerate breakthroughs in research and treatment in order to improve health outcomes and make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Their suite of products and services helps researchers, scientists, and clinicians visualize, share, and analyze life science data through best-in-class applications, backed by over a decade of software crafting experience. MetaCell partners with top industry and academic institutions across the US, UK, Canada, and Europe, including Biogen, Pfizer, Eisai, Yale University, Princeton, and University College London.

Founded by Stephen Larson (CEO), Giovanni Idili (COO), and Matteo Cantarelli (CTO), MetaCell brings together deep expertise spanning neuroscience, computer science, systems engineering, and large-scale software development. The company operates across three core areas: cloud-based software products, tailored software solutions, and professional services — all oriented toward advancing life science data analysis, bioinformatics, digital health, and machine learning.

MetaCell Cloud Products

• NeuroGlass: A unified tool to manage, explore, annotate, and collaborate on large microscopy datasets, enabling teams to work together efficiently on complex imaging data.
• MetaCell Cloud Workspaces: On-demand computational notebooks with dynamic provisioning of computing resources, designed to support data-intensive research workflows and collaborative learning environments including workshops.
• MetaCell Cloud Hosting: Advanced cloud computing solutions built to facilitate research and innovation in life science and healthcare, with scalable infrastructure capable of handling bursty traffic during conferences and public presentations.

Software Solutions

• Cloud Harness: An open source base infrastructure facilitator for micro-service based applications deployed on Kubernetes, enabling flexible and scalable application architecture.
• Calcium Imaging Analysis: Open source data science pipelines specifically designed for microscopy calcium imaging analysis.
• Life Science Data Visualization: Cutting-edge data visualization and aggregation tools operating in concert with data analysis algorithms to maximize insight from complex datasets.
• Data Standardization: Cloud-based solutions to help researchers appropriately disseminate their data in line with requirements from funding agencies, ensuring maximum scientific impact.
• Cloud Workspaces for Learning and Workshops: Purpose-built environments that remove the organizational burden of running workshops and facilitate collaborative learning at scale.
• Centralized Gene Signature Management: Secure, cloud-based solutions to centralize gene signature curation, enrichment, and analysis for pharmaceutical and research teams.
• Model Organism Neuroanatomy Data Exploration and Visualization: A customizable framework designed for academic research into model organism neuroanatomy, supporting data exploration and visualization needs.

Professional Services

• Cloud Infrastructure: Setup of scalable, cloud-based infrastructure to host data portals that can sustain organizational growth and handle high-traffic events such as conferences and workshops.
• Data Science: Accelerating progress toward grant proposals, published papers, and drug discovery by executing data science projects efficiently.
• Software Specification: Experienced software analysts cross-trained in neuroscience guide clients through the user story definition process, ensuring the right product is built from the outset.
• Software Development: Over 10 years of successfully defining and implementing innovative software solutions for leading global institutions and pharmaceutical organizations.
• Strategic Consulting: Advisory services covering process automation, team structure adjustments, and coordination of diverse skillsets within life science organizations.
• User Experience Design: End-to-end software design focused on creating beautiful, interactive, and highly usable experiences for life science applications.
• AI and Machine Learning: Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and closing the loop with machine learning modeling to derive deeper insights from life science data.

Leadership and Background

• Stephen Larson (Co-founder, CEO) holds a BS and MEng in Computer Science from MIT and a PhD in Neuroscience from UC San Diego. He has published in journals including Frontiers in Neuroscience and Nature, and previously served as CIO of One Mind for Research. He also serves as Project Director for the OpenWorm Foundation.
• Giovanni Idili (Co-founder, COO) holds a Bachelor in Electronic Engineering from the University of Cagliari and a Master in Computer Science from Cork Institute of Technology. He brings extensive experience in large-scale software project delivery and organizational management, having previously consulted for companies including Rockwell Automation and Snap-on Diagnostics.
• Matteo Cantarelli (Co-founder, CTO) holds a Master in Systems Engineering from the École Normale Supérieure de Paris-Saclay and degrees in Electronic Engineering from the University of Cagliari. He previously worked as Principal Research Associate at University College London, where he helped build Open Source Brain, and co-founded the OpenWorm Foundation. His work has been featured in The Economist and published with the Royal Society of London.

MetaCell continues to power some of the world's most respected pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions, combining deep scientific knowledge with software engineering excellence to drive the future of life science research and healthcare innovation.