Particle and Cell Counter Manufacturers
What to Consider When Purchasing
When it comes time to select a particle or cell counter, you have a few things to consider. How accurate do you need your counter to be? Another question to ask is, do you need it also to measure the size and health of your population? How easy is it to use and onboard your lab team, how reproducible, and will it hold counts in memory for comparison? You may also want to consider how easily you can acquire supplies and dyes, how much room on the lab bench you have, and all of that finally translates into what fits into your budget. With these answers, you can select the right instrument to suit your needs, and you’re on your way!
Particle and Cell Counter Manufacturers
When it comes to cell counting, you must begin with Beckman Coulter. Beckman Coulter merged in 1997 when Beckman Instruments acquired Coulter Corporation. The Coulter Corporation was founded in 1958 by brothers Wallace and Joseph Coulter, who developed the Coulter Principle. This innovative approach to counting and measuring particle sizes laid the foundation for automated hematology.
Beckman Coulter produces a broad range of cell counters, such as the Vi-cell XR, for determining cell concentrations and viability, as well as particle counters and particle sizers, like the Multisizer 4e, that can detect subcellular and microparticles.
Thermo Fisher and Invitrogen
Thermo Fisher offers the Invitrogen Countess series of imaging counters. These image-based systems are desirable for their easy-to-use interface and the little space they take on the bench. The Countess systems use disposable or reusable glass slides, a robust machine-learning image analysis algorithm with autofocus, and lighting. You get more power in a smaller package with a range wider than a regular hemocytometer. The countess series also has a fluorescent option, covering up to 15 fluorescent channels.
On the larger cell sorter end of the spectrum is the Invitrogen Bigfoot; this multiplexing spectral cell sorter relies on flow cytometry while offering class II biosafety hood protection. The high throughput sorting allows for sorting into multiple formats and works with up to 9 lasers and 60 detectors.
Nexcelom bioscience
Nexcelom Bioscience offers a wide assortment of instruments from small to high throughput. It has you covered, from kit-based imaging systems that eliminate the need for lysis to imagers that work with just brightfield to fully automated plate-based multichannel brightfield and fluorescent models. Imagers such as the Cellometer Spectrum are quick-acting, with readings in about 30 seconds, providing information on population, viability, and other cell-based assays. It’s a more minor, more economical way to phenotype cells and count without the bulk of a full-flow cytometer.
The Cellometer Auto 1000 is another option that works with 20ul of samples on a disposable chamber and can return results in as little as 10 seconds. This automated cell counter uses Trypan Blue staining and brightfield imaging and has the innovative feature of a roundness slider. This setting allows users to adjust for irregular cell shapes like activated T-cells or cancer cells.
BioRad Cell Counters
Biorad has an offering in the TC20 Cell counter, a slide format, an imaging-based system with a compact footprint and autofocus technology. This system counts mammalian cells and works with or without trypan blue staining. The system uses disposable slides, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination and the need to clean the instrument. The results are shown on the cell counter screen in about 30 seconds. This little powerhouse will return information on cell size that you can use to narrow the scope and viability through multifocal plate analysis.
Final Thoughts
When it comes time to find which system checks off all your boxes, it’s essential to consider what features are critical, what consumables you’ll need on hand, and the best counting method for your needs. Regardless of the direction, these counters are an investment—one way to maximize your purchase.
Through the years, we’ve carried many top manufacturers, from Beckman Coulter to Bio-Rad and Invitrogen. We’re familiar with their elements and operating principles, including apertures, validating system health, and what consumables might be required. Our team is here to help you find the best instrument to streamline your workflow. Let us know if you don’t see a system that fits the bill. Our inventory updates continually.
