Bio-Rad TC20™ Automated Cell Counter User Manual

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Fig. 10. Inserting the counting slide into
the TC20 cell counter.

Fig. 11. Cell count screen without
trypan blue dye.

Fig. 12. Cell count screen with trypan
blue dye.

Performing Cell Counts

Counting Cells on the
TC20 Automated Cell Counter

1. Simply inserting a counting slide into the slide

slot of the TC20 cell counter will automatically

initiate a cell count (Figure 10). The chambers

are labeled A and B, with an arrow next to

each chamber to indicate the direction of

slide insertion. Make sure that the slide is

completely inside the slide slot; otherwise

the instrument does not detect the slide and

counting does not start. Make sure the slide

is inserted right side up.

2. The cell counter automatically detects the

presence of the slide and initiates the count.

The cell counter automatically detects the

presence of trypan blue dye.

3. The count results appear on the

Current count screen.

For samples without trypan blue dye —

On the Current count screen, the instrument

provides the total cell count per ml (Figure 11).

For samples with trypan blue dye — On the
Current count screen, the instrument provides

the total cell count per ml, live cell count per

ml, and percentage of live cells (Figure 12). If

the counted sample contains trypan blue, the

instrument accounts for 1:1 dilution of trypan

blue to cell suspension.

Important: If the number of cells is above

or below the specified range of the TC20

automated cell counter, “Value out of range” is

displayed on the Current count screen.

View the image of the cells (see Viewing the
Image of Cells from the Current Count for

details) and determine whether the sample

should be diluted or concentrated. Then repeat

the cell count.

If the result is between 5 x 10

and 5 x 10

cells/ ml, counting multiple sample replicates will

increase accuracy. After performing replicate measurements calculate the average and use

it as your result. If the result is above 5 x 10

cells/ml, only one measurement is needed.

4. Once the instrument completes the cell count, remove the slide from the slide slot.

To exit the Current count screen, press Home.

5. If the slide is removed, results from the last count will remain on the screen until a new slide

is inserted. When a new slide is inserted and the instrument starts counting, the previous

result will be stored on the TC20 cell counter using a date/time stamp to track the count.