Compare Cell Viability Counters: Which Cellometer is Right for Me?

Nexcelom offers a range of Cellometer systems developed and optimized for specific applications and cell types. From basic cell counting to more sophisticated 2-color primary cell analysis to fluorescent cell-based assays, there is a Cellometer system to meet your needs.

The Cellometer Mini, Auto T4, and Auto 1000 Cell Counters are ideal for concentration and viability of cell lines and cultured primary cells.

The Cellometer Auto 2000 Cell Viability Counter is designed for simple, accurate analysis of nucleated cells (including PBMCs, splenocytes, stem cells) in peripheral blood, cord blood, bone marrow, and other heterogeneous samples.

The Cellometer Vision CBA Image Cytometry System offers analysis of a growing range of cell-based assays, including assays for apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle, proliferation, GFP, RFP, YFP, cell surface markers, and many others with flow-like data reporting.

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Give us a call 978-327-5340. Experienced Nexcelom Applications Specialists are available 8:30am to 5:30pm EST to assist with selection of a Cellometer system.

Cellometer Mini Cell Lines
Auto 1000 Cell Counter Cell Lines
Auto 2000 Cell Viability Counter Cell Lines Primary Cells
Vision CBA Image Cytometry Cell Lines Primary Cells Cell-Based Assays

Specialty Cellometer instruments are available for specific cell types (platelets, algae, yeast, hepatocytes, adipocytes). The highlighted boxes in the table below indicate the “minimum” recommended instrument for concentration & viability determination of some common cell types.

Cell / Sample Type Automated Cell Counters Image Cytometers
Mini Auto T4 Auto 1000 Auto 2000 X1 X2 K2 Vision CBA Vision CBA (10x)
Objective Magnification
4X
4X
4X
4X
10X
10X
4X
5X
10X
Cell Line
X
X
X
X
X 
X
Cultured Primary Cells
X
X
X
X
X 
X
Algae
 
 
X
X
 
X
Low Concentration Cell Lines
X
 
X
X
 
Yeast (Clean Sample)
X
X
 
X
Primary cells (Messy Sample*)
X
X
X 
PBMCs, Splenocytes, Stem Cells
X
 X
X
Yeast (Messy Sample)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Cell-Based Assay **
X
X
X
X
X
Apoptosis (Annexin V-FITC/PI)
X
X
X
Apoptosis (Caspase Activity)
X
X
X
Autophagy (CytoID-green)
X
X
Cell Proliferation (CFSE)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
RFP Transfection
X
X
Mitochondrial Potential (JC-1)
X
X
Multi-drug Resistance (ABC Transporter)
X
X
Surface Marker Analysis
X
X
Vitality (Calcein-AM/PI)
X
X
X
X
Image Cytometry**
X
X

*A messy sample is a heterogeneous sample containing unwanted cell types, such as red blood cells, in addition to the cells of interest.
** FCS Express license must be purchased in order to perform Cell Based Assay or Image Cytometry analysis
*** Cellometer CHT4-PD300 slides are required for cells greater than 80µm in diameter

All Cellometer systems offer proprietary Cellometer software for accurate analysis of clumpy and irregular-shaped cells, calculation of mean cell diameter / cell size distribution, and raw and counted images for visualization of cells and counting results.

Questions to Consider when Selecting a Cellometer

“What cell types do we currently study?”
“What cell types would we like to study?”
“What cell-based assays do we currently performed in our laboratory?”
“What cell-based assays would we like to perform?”

Based on answers to these questions, it is possible to determine the Cellometer system that is currently needed in the laboratory as well as the Cellometer system that will best meet the future needs of the group.

Each Cellometer system combines a unique set of hardware and software features for analysis of particular sample types and / or fluorescent assays. The table below compares various features of the Cellometer systems.

Features
Automated Cell Counters
Image Cytometers
Imaging Capabilities
Objective Magnification
4X
4X
4X
4X
10X
10X
4X
5X
10X
Bright field
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Single Fluorescence Optics Module
X
X
X
X
X
X
Dual Fluorescence Optics Module
X
X
X
X
X
Fluorescence Intensity Measurements
X
X
X
X
X
Detection of Weak Fluorescence
X
X
Configuration
Integrated Computer / Touch screen
X
X
Optional Laptop Computer
X
X
X
X
X
X
User-changeable optics module(s)
X
X
Software Features
Cellometer software for analysis of clumpy and irregular-shaped cells
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Mean cell diameter and cell size distribution
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Sample adjustment calculator to determine sample volume for desired cell number / concentration
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Cell type wizard for creating new cell type parameters
X
X
X
X
X
X
IQ / OQ Option
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Audit Control Option
X
X
X
X
X
X
Specialized algorithms for analysis of adipocytes***
X
X
X
Specialized algorithms for analysis of hepatocytes
X
X
FCS Express Software for flow-like data reporting for cell-based assays
X
X
X
X
X
FCS Express Software for Image Cytometry
X
X
Performance Criteria
Analysis time
5-15 sec.
30 sec.
5-15 sec.
5-15 sec.
5-15 sec.
5-15 sec.
5-15 sec.
30 -60 sec.
30-60 sec.
Cell size range
5-300µm
5-60µm
5-300µm
5-300µm
0.5-15µm
0.5-15µm
5-300µm
5-300µm
0.5-15µm
Sample volume
20 µl
20 µl
20 µl
20 µl
20 µl
20 µl
20 µl
20 µl
20 µl

*** Cellometer CHT4-PD300 slides are required for cells greater than 80µm in diameter

Because Cellometer systems utilize image cytometry, a non-fluidic technology, there is no washing or routine maintenance. Individuals can save unique protocols, making Cellometer systems easy to share between users. Saved imaging parameters and assay protocols and automatic calculation of results reduce user errors and variability between operators. Auto-save features ensure that all data is accurately captured. Images and data tables are easily archived and exported for reports and publications.

Experienced Nexcelom Applications Specialists are available to assist with selection of a Cellometer system to best meet your application and budget requirements.

Contact Nexcelom at 978-327-5340 or info@nexcelom.com today to speak with an Applications Specialist or schedule a free on-site demonstration or technical seminar.