The biotechnology industry is a highly competitive sphere where time-saving and accuracy are the key concepts. An automated cell counter is one of the technological advances that have transformed the field. As a biotech researcher or a lab technician, it is important to have insight on the advantages, principles, and uses of automated cell counters.
What Are Automated Cell Counters?
Automated cell counters are elegant devices that are supposed to assist in the identification of the number of cells as well as the type of cells in the least amount of time possible. Whereas the conventional cell counting techniques may involve usage of microscopes and other manual cell counting devices where cell counting is bound to be inaccurate or the procedure time consuming, cell counters use elaborate algorithms and imaging systems to provide reliable cell counting procedures. The invention has acquired the great importance in various research and clinical practices.
Important Automated Cell Counter Characteristics
Great Precision and Accuracy
Fluorescent microscopy is the technique of identifying cell density by using advanced imaging and algorithms to improve the level of confidence in cell. They have been demonstrated in numerous studies to be able to distinguish between live and dead cells, making it simpler to obtain reliable results to conduct experiments and to diagnose the cause of a sickness.
Speed and efficiency
This is what makes the automated cell counters much more convenient than the traditional cell counting methods that may consume much more time. The traditional method of counting manually may require many hours whereas the electronic counting may require only approximately twenty minutes. This effectiveness enables researchers to determinedore samples in less duration of time thereby increasing the effectiveness of the determinations.
User-Friendly Interface
The interface of the new model of automated cell counters is quite structured and easy to design. Such systems have touch screens and software that talks the user through the counting process and hence can be easily operated even by the less computer literate personage.
Versatility
Automated cell counters are general-purpose cell biology tools and may be utilized in cell viability measurements, cell growth/shrinkage studies, and cell cycle analysis. They can be utilized with different cells, say, mammalian, bacterial etc. and hence are relevant to many area of research.
Benefits of applying Automated Cell Counters to Biotech Specialist and Lab Technicians
Improved Data Quality
The quality of the data is improved by feasibility and effectiveness of Auto counters. Sufficient cell numbers are necessary to conduct experiments that can be repeated along with producing results that are true. It is particularly important in applications such as drug development where a single counting error may resolve the outcome of a pre-clinical study.
Time Savings; Labor Savings
This has saved time and man power required in cell counting as automated cell counters are effective in this task. This is time saving because the researchers and technicians may concentrate their time on the other more valuable processes such as statistical analysis and experiment designs.
Minimized Human Error
The manual cell counting method has few drawbacks; one of these is that there is a possibility of human error that will result in the obtained results being less accurate. The conventional cell counting methods also have variations since they are typically estimated by the human operator where the automated cell counters provide objective and reproducible data. This is quite a crucial factor since maintaining inconsistency otherwise would alter the integrity of the scientific work conducted.
Cost-Effectiveness
But in deciding to acquire automated cell counters, employees must know that initially it will cost them quite a substantial amount of money, yet the savings in the long run will be greater. It is never a problem to get cheap labor, volumes to come out of production and fewer instances of errors, which makes the worrying worry cost effective. Besides, it should be mentioned that a big number of automated cell counters require very low maintenance, which also adds to the efficiency of the costs.
Uses of Automated Cell Counters
Cell Culture
The cell counters are quite helpful in cell culture works. They permit the investigator the prowess to visualize cell division, quantitate the health and well being of cells and make adjustments of the media. The data is critical in the production of improved and adequate cell lines useful in research processes and therapeutic approaches.
Cancer Research
The techniques that should be adopted to ensure proper counting of the cancer cells are, making several measurements so that comparison is easy and that average can be drawn will be adopted to determine the impacts of the treatments that might be rise on the cancer cells. The instrumental cell counters become useful in determining the number of cells that may enable researchers to establish the effectiveness of the new drugs and treatment.
Hematology
Hematology has exploited it more as it involves the counting and provision of features of the blood cells. Some of the blood tests that can be offered in this application are diagnosis and monitoring of anemia and leukemia.
Microbiology
In microbiology as an example, cell counters that are commonly referred to as cell counters are used to enumerate bacterial and yeast cells. This feature is vital in identification of growth of microbes, antimicrobial susceptibility disc assessment and vaccine growth. To the females who want to keep a closer look at their health on a microbial scale, Evvy has developed specific testing that could be an informative addition and supplement the conventional cell-counting-based tests to have a well-rounded view on health.
Regenerative Medicine
Stem cells play an important role in the creation of therapeutic options, which could be made available in regenerative medicine, and the number of these cells is extremely well counted. The other significant role that cell counter plays is that they provide accurate analysis of the stem cells such that the therapeutic doses can be administered appropriately.
Assumption In this paper, it is assumed that the reader has some knowledge on the principles of basic cell counting methods and on the use of automated cell counters.
Important Factors to Note when Selecting an Automated Cell Counter
Sample Throughput
Consider the sample size as how many samples you have to work with daily. Automated cell counters with high throughput are ideal in situations when there is an uptime and a larger number of samples whereas the low throughput cell counters could suit laboratories with minimal traffic.
Cell Type Compatibility
Ensure that the kind of cells you have works properly with the automated cell counter. Some of them can be constructed to use some specific types of cells such as mammalian cells and microorganisms.
Data Analytics Capabilities
Automated cell counter ought to have features that would enable analysis of data of the counted cells. Viability assays of cells and other complex cell cycle measurement tools may also come in handy in advancing your research.
User-Friendliness
Other aspects will be discussed when considering the usability of the automated cell counter. Novel methods and user friendly interfaces would also help to alleviate counting issues and refine the probably high user learning curve.
Maintenance and Support
When thinking about the maintenance needed on the automated cell counter, consider how often it will need repair, and whether its technical support is readily available. Good customer service and minimal maintenance would imply that the machine would break down less often, hence reduce and/or prevent interruption in the production.
