Cellometer K2 Fluorescent Cell Counter

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Product information

Overview

The Cellometer K2 fluorescent cell counter, powered by Matrix software, utilizes brightfield imaging and dual-fluorescence imaging to quickly and accurately identify and count individual cells. Cell count, concentration, diameter, and % viability are automatically calculated and reported.

The Cellometer K2 cell counter provides:

Dual fluorescence and brightfield imaging – stain only nucleated cells for accurate count and viability information
Fast results – count, size, concentration, and viability calculations in <60 seconds
Analysis of complex samples – designed for analysis of complex and messy samples including whole blood, peripheral blood, cord blood, and bone marrow
21 CFR Part 11 ready – optional add-on that includes an audit trail, user access control, and digital signature
Multiple fields of view – increased accuracy with the ability to capture one, four, or eight images per sample
Built-in predefined assays – quickly analyze viability, apoptosis, and transfection efficiency
Built-in cell types – includes saved parameters for over 400 cell types
Small sample volume – only 10 µl of cell sample required
Configurable reports – includes predefined reports with the ability to create new ones with graphs, images, charts, and tables

Additional product information

Count a variety of samples - from cell lines to primary samples

The Cellometer K2 can be configured to handle a variety of cell types, including primary cells, tumor digest, insect cells, cell lines, fragile cells, and more at low or high concentrations.

Predefined assays and cell types

Take the guesswork out of setting up your cell quantification experiments. The Cellometer K2 includes a library of commonly-used assays and cell types with predefined settings to help improve consistency of results. Conveniently build and modify assays and cell types to help match your specific experimental requirements.

Capture multiple fields of view

Capture one, four, or eight images per sample. The instrument default is set to four images, which is the equivalent of six quadrants on a hemocytometer. Eight images are equivalent to twelve quadrants on a hemocytometer. The ability to capture multiple images improves the cell counting dynamic range and reliability of results.

Dual-fluorescent staining for clumpy cells

The fluorescent image shows bright green AO-positive hepatocytes declustered by the Cellometer K2 algorithm. Red circled hepatocytes are PI-positive (dead) while free nuclei are not counted.

Predefined and customizable reports

Use default or customized reports based on the data and images you want to be included for your specific experimental needs. Automatically export images and data reports including CSV, Excel, Word, or PDF files. Perform statistical analysis for a wide range of parameters such as average, variance, min/max, and standard deviation of cell size.

21 CFR Part 11-ready

An optional module can be purchased to facilitate 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. The additional module comes with the following features:

User login with passwords
User assigned permissions
Audit trail
Error log files
Electronic signatures

Live/dead nucleated cell counts using dual-fluorescence

Why dual-fluorescence?

Because brightfield cell counting does not differentiate nucleated from non-nucleated cells and Trypan blue staining is not as easy to detect as fluorescent staining, dual-color fluorescence is strongly recommended for reliable viability analysis for primary cells. The K2 is equipped with standard assays for dual-fluorescence analysis of a variety of cells stained with Acridine Orange and Propidium Iodide (AO/PI).

The AO/PI method

Acridine Orange (AO) is a nuclear staining (nucleic acid binding) dye permeable to both live and dead cells. It stains all nucleated cells to generate green fluorescence. Propidium Iodide (PI) can only enter dead cells with compromised membranes. It stains all dead nucleated cells to generate red fluorescence. Cells stained with both AO and PI fluoresce red due to quenching, so all live nucleated cells fluoresce green and all dead nucleated cells fluoresce red.

brightfields vs aopi — The brightfield image on the left shows the combination of nucleated cells, red blood cells, and platelets present in the sample. The red blood cells are not visible in the fluorescent image on the right, only the live (green) and dead (red) nucleated cells are counted.

No interference from red blood cells, platelets, or debris

The dual-fluorescence AO/PI method utilizes nuclear staining dyes that bind to nucleic acids in the cell nucleus. Because most mature mammalian red blood cells do not contain nuclei, only live and dead mononuclear cells produce a fluorescent signal. There is no need to lyse red blood cells, saving time and eliminating an extra sample preparation step. Red blood cells, platelets, and debris are not counted in the fluorescent channels.

Analysis of clumpy and irregular-shaped cells

NCI-60 and clumpy MCF-7 cells

NCI-60 is a group of 59 human cancer cell lines (originally 60) developed by the National Cancer Institute (USA) for screening purposes.

57% of the NCI-60 cell lines are clumpy, contain debris, or display large variations in cell shape or size
All 59 NCI-60 cell lines have been successfully validated on the Cellometer cell counter

Clumpy cells

Irregular-shaped cells

count irregular shaped cell automatically — The Cellometer cell roundness setting can be adjusted for recognition and counting of irregular-shaped cells, such as RD cells and activated T-cells.

10x faster than manual counting

Counting 1 x 10⁶ cells takes approximately 5 minutes with a manual hemacytometer. Counting live and dead cells sometimes takes twice as long. The Cellometer K2 cell counter calculates cell count and concentration for live and dead cells and % viability in just 60 seconds.

Improve data reliability and consistency:

Reduce judgment errors
Reduce interference from RBCs
Reduce recording & calculation errors
Reduce counting time - run more experiments

Imaging / counting chambers: no washing or contamination

We offer two different disposable counting slides, one with protective coverings on both sides and a ready-to-use option packed in microscope slide boxes. Disposable slides offer the advantages of time-saving, since no washing is required, reduced risk of contamination and reduced biohazard risk to users.

Specifications

System includes	Cellometer K2 instrument Cellometer software Two standard fluorescence optics module Power supply USB 2.0 connection cable Phone/online applications support during set-up
Available accessories	PC Laptop
Imaging performance	Cell Size: 4-90 microns Conc. Range: 10⁵ – 10⁷ cells/ml Brightfield imaging, fluorescent imaging and pattern-recognition software to quickly and accurately decluster, identify and count individual cells.
Instrument specifications	Weight: 23.0 lbs. (10.4 kg) Dimensions: Width: 6.0” (15.2 cm), Depth: 8.5” (21.6 cm), Height: 14.0” (35.6 cm) Input to Power Adapter: 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 1.0A Output to Instrument: 12 VDC, 3.34A
PC / Laptop Minimum Requirements: (If purchasing Cellometer without PC laptop)	Windows 10, 64-bit Intel® Core i7, 2.0 GHz processor 16GB RAM (or higher) NVIDIA P1000 GPU (equivalent or better)
Available fluorescence optics modules	Excitation / Emission: 470nm/535nm Example Fluorophores: Acridine Orange, CFDA, FITC Excitation / Emission: 540nm/660nm Example Fluorophores: Propidium Iodide (PI), Ethidium Bromide, 7-AAD