Why settle for just a cell counter when you can get a full-featured, high performance flow cytometer for not much more?

The average coefficient of variation for replicate cell counts using three different counting methods on the same samples. A paired student’s T test was used to determine p values (95% confidence, N = 23). The direct-volume measurement method provides the least variability between replicate cell counts (average CV values: direct-volume measurement =2.10%; counting bead method =2.94%; hemacytometer =19.51%).

The Accuri C6 Flow Cytometer® generates results that have been shown to be more precise than the standard manual hemacytometer method as well as counting beads. Most remarkable, is the low variability for replicate samples using the C6 “events per µL” statistic, read directly from the CFlow® Statistics Tab, as compared to the other two methods.

An added benefit of obtaining cell concentrations directly from the C6 is the comparative ease of use: the only data calculation needed is to account for dilution factors, if applicable. No complicated back calculations, to determine the volume sampled based on bead number collected, are required nor are subjective decisions about how to gate on the “singlet” bead population.

The sources of error inherent in hemacytometer counts are well documented and it is not surprising that variation between replicate sample counts would be high. The use of counting beads in flow cytometry experiments has largely replaced combining hemacytometer counts with flow cytometry data as a way to determine cell concentration of phenotypically diverse populations. But even this approach is likely impacted by sources of error such as pipetting technique and calibration, inherent variability in bead stock concentrations, and the subjective setting of a bead gate in the flow cytometer data file.

The C6 is intended for general laboratory and research use only (RUO). It is not intended for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) testing.

Download our White Paper, Improved Cell Counting Technology, and read about three applications for direct determination of cell concentration with the C6: viability assessment of cultured cell lines, platelet counts in human peripheral blood samples, and determination of T-cells in human peripheral blood.

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