Bio-Rad’s Latest Toy: The TC10 Automated Cell Counter

Bio-Rad’s latest gadget is the TC10 automated cell counter, which accurately and reproducibly provides total mammalian cell counts in 30 seconds or less—eliminating the need for manually counting cells under the microscope using a hemocytometer.

The TC10 cell counter completes the counting of mammalian cells—suspended or re-suspended adherent—in one simple step, initiating a count immediately upon slide insertion. Unlike other cell counting devices, which may draw inaccurate conclusions from using a single plane of focus to assess cell viability, the TC10 cell counter scores each sample across multiple planes. The unique auto-focus technology and image analysis algorithm provide accurate and reproducible cell counts in less than 30 seconds for cell concentrations between 5 x 104 and 1 x 107 cells/ml and cells within a 6–50 µm diameter range. Since only 10 µl of suspended cells is required for counting, precious sample is conserved.

Cell viability can also be assessed with the TC10 cell counter with the use of trypan blue, a dye which is excluded from live cells and incorporated into dead cells. The system recognizes the presence of trypan blue without user intervention and provides both cell count and cell viability, in less than 30 seconds.

The TC10 cell counter saves time with its on-board dilution calculator which can determine the volume adjustments needed to achieve the cell concentration for the next passage or experiment. In experiments using trypan blue, the dilution calculation is based on the number of live cells.

Using the USB port, researchers can export annotated JPEG image files of their samples for further analysis or download counting data in a spreadsheet compatible format. Results can also be printed directly onto labels using the separate TC10 printer.

For an online demo of how to use the TC10 and other video tutorials including the TC10’s use in gene expression studies, a cell biology primer and a basic cell culture introductory document visit the TC10 website.