Cell Counting Based on Imaging Services
Cell counting is the basis of many biological experiments. Analysis of drug compound toxicity, cell proliferation and cell division inhibition need to evaluate the number or density of cells in the well. Manual cell counting is time-consuming, tedious and error-prone, while image-based cell counting can reduce human error and has the advantages of higher accuracy, repeatability and fast detection speed. Therefore, image-based cell counting technology has been widely used in cell detection.
Figure 1. Cell counting based on imaging.
Image-based Cell Counting
At CD BioSciences, the image-based cell counting uses a microscopic imaging system to image biological samples, and then uses computer image analysis and processing software to achieve counting. After analyzing the imaging results, this method can not only count the number of cells, but also record a wide range of spatial location information of samples. Our common methods of image-based cell counting include bright field image-based cell counting, transmitted light cell counting and fluorescent cell counting.
Cell Counting Methods
| Bright field image-based | Transmitted light cell counting | Fluorescent cell counting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Details | Trypan blue is a cell transmembrane dye. When using it for cell staining, dead cells appear as solid dots, which are clearly different from the clear outline of the center of live cells. This difference can clearly distinguish live cells and dead cells for differential counting. | Transmitted light cell technology improves the accuracy of counting different cell types, and is often used to image unstained live cells or fixed cells | Imaging and analysis of compound effects based on cells stained positively for different fluorescent markers |
| Application | Most mammalian cells | CHO cells HeLa cells |
Primary cells |
| Peripheral blood mononuclear cells | |||
| Yeast cells | |||
| Sperm cells | |||
| Not applicable | Primary cells | Cell grow in clumps | Without limitation of cell types |
| Peripheral blood mononuclear cells | |||
| Yeast cells | |||
| Sperm cells |
Cell Imaging and Counting Workflow
The workflow of image-based cell counting includes multiple steps from cell plating to image analysis and counting. The specific process is as follows:
Step 1
Plate cells
Plate adherent or suspended cells into 96 or 384 well plates. Incubate the cells under normal culture conditions.
Step 2
Treat cells
If necessary in the experimental procedure, the cells were treated with the target compound. If the compound is treated for a long time, it may be necessary to replace the compound during incubation.
Step 3
Marker stain
Live cells can be stained with various fluorophores, but not all live cells need to be stained. Bright field imaging can be used for label-free cell imaging and analytical counting.
Step 4
Acquire live cell images
Set the total duration and imaging interval of the entire experiment. Automated cell imaging equipment can be used to perform continuous time-lapse imaging of cell cultures.
Step 5
Cell counting
Use the cell imaging analysis software to analyze the live cell image and get the accurate number of cells.
Our Advantages
- Appropriate methods can be flexibly used for cell counting according to the cell type.
- The cell counting is performed by professional image recognition software, which minimizes the difference between operations caused by different personnel
- The experimental results are accurate and repeatable
- Reasonable price and fast counting speed
CD BioSciences has a professional team and advanced imaging equipment, and we can count cells through a variety of imaging methods. If you have any needs, please feel free to contact us. We can provide you with high quantity service of image-based cell counting with an accurate result.
*If your organization requires the signing of a confidentiality agreement, please contact us by email.
Please note: Our services can only be used for research purposes. Do not use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures!