Cell counting is a mundane job, but it is essential for any biologist who works with cells. Cell counting is important for cell culture– seeding cells at appropriate densities, monitoring cell health and proliferation, and helping with appropriate passaging. It is also crucial for various other in vitro experiments– for assessing immortalization, transfection, change, or infection effectiveness, for figuring out how a treatment affects a cell population, and for determining reagent or treatment concentrations to avoid synthetic discrepancies in reaction magnitude. For all of these reasons, scientists need to carry out cell counting properly, regularly, and rapidly.1 From Hands On to Hands OffManual cell counting is still really typical in life science laboratories. Scientists generally fill a small aliquot of a cell suspension onto a hemocytometer– an unique optical glass slide consisting of a laser-etched grid.2 The operator then pictures the cells under light microscopy, by hand counts the variety of cells within a specific area, and extrapolates that number to calculate the cell concentration per system of volume. Hemocytometers are simple-to-use and affordable,1,2 but go through numerous essential inherent imperfections. Because the procedure is completely manual, user-to-user variation can be presented at numerous phases, from aliquot mixing and preparation to the real count itself and whether an offered cell falls within the user-defined counting location. The procedure is also time consuming, even for skilled operators, and therefore not perfect for larger-scale operations.1,2 Automated cell counting can reduce the variability of manual cell counting while supplying exceptional precision and faster throughputs. While many cell counters sign up individual cells as they scatter light or regulate electrical resistance, image-based automated cell counters are growing in appeal. Powered by improvements in cam sensing unit innovation and computer system processing power, image-based cell counting is typically more economical, requires less complex sample preparation and handling, and offers visual details on cellular morphology. Image-based cell counters can also make the most of continuous advancement of machine learning and image analysis algorithms for faster and more constant counting. Computer-based image analysis can discover functions easily missed out on by the human eye, such as nucleus size.2 CellDrop: The Sustainable SolutionThe CellDrop ™ from DeNovix is an image-based automatic cell counter that provides both brightfield and fluorescent optical channels for maximum versatility. It also gets rid of the need for cumbersome sample dilution or concentration steps prior to counting, as the variable-height sample chamber assists in the measurement of sample cell concentrations ranging from 7 x 102 to 2.5 x 107 per milliliter.3 The adaptability of CellDrop cell counters is further shown by how the sample chamber can accommodate specific cell sizes covering 4 to 400 µm.The CellDrop instrument is geared up with a high definition 7 ″ touchscreen interface, eliminating the need for a separate computer system terminal. The instrument is driven by scientist-designed EasyApps ™ software that features pre-installed programs that enable one-touch analysis for commonly used assays. CellDrop is 21 CFR 11 certified, compatible with software application controls using password safeguarded system gain access to, integrated electronic signature controls, user account management, safe and secure audit path recording, and advanced data handling and export tools.However, the CellDrops most distinct feature is that it does not need a disposable slide for visualization. Rather, the sample chamber is formed by two irreversible optical sapphire surface areas. Following analysis, scientists simply clean samples away– a cleansing procedure that can be confirmed by the instruments live-view image. This slide-free technique has significant ecological implications, with the possible to conserve millions of slides– relating to tens of thousands of kilograms of plastic– from land fills.4 The CellDrops contribution to sustainability has actually been acknowledged by SelectScience ®, who called the instrument the “Sustainable Laboratory Product of the Year” in their 2022 Scientists Choice Awards ®.4 ReferencesK. Ongena et al., “Determining cell number throughout cell culture using the Scepter cell counter,” J Vis Exp, 45:2204, 2010. doi: 10.3791/ 2204. A. Vembadi et al., “Cell cytometry: Review and point of view on biotechnological advances,” Front Bioeng Biotechnol, 7:147, 2019. doi: 10.3389/ fbioe.2019.00147.”DeNovix gets patent for CellDrop ™ Automated Cell Counter,” DeNovix Inc. news release, June 12, 2019.”DeNovix CellDrop awarded sustainable lab product of the year,” DeNovix Inc. press release, January 10, 2023.
Cell counting is essential for cell culture– seeding cells at suitable densities, keeping track of cell health and proliferation, and facilitating proper passaging. Researchers normally pack a little aliquot of a cell suspension onto a hemocytometer– a special optical glass slide containing a laser-etched grid.2 The operator then envisions the cells under light microscopy, manually counts the number of cells within a specific location, and theorizes that number to compute the cell concentration per system of volume. It likewise eliminates the need for troublesome sample dilution or concentration steps prior to counting, as the variable-height sample chamber assists in the measurement of sample cell concentrations varying from 7 x 102 to 2.5 x 107 per milliliter.3 The adaptability of CellDrop cell counters is additional shown by how the sample chamber can accommodate individual cell sizes spanning 4 to 400 µm.The CellDrop instrument is geared up with a high definition 7 ″ touchscreen interface, getting rid of the requirement for a separate computer system terminal. Ongena et al., “Determining cell number throughout cell culture utilizing the Scepter cell counter,” J Vis Exp, 45:2204, 2010.