Applications CFU Assay Course-CA-Summer

This instructor-led training course from STEMCELL Technologies provides hands-on experience with the colony-forming unit (CFU) assay, a foundational in vitro method for quantifying hematopoietic progenitor cells in bone marrow, cord blood, and peripheral blood samples. Delivered in California during the summer session, this intensive workshop walks participants through the complete assay workflow: from mononuclear cell preparation and methylcellulose-based semi-solid culture setup in 35 mm culture dishes, through incubation at 37 °C with 5% CO2, to final identification and scoring of erythroid, myeloid, and granulocyte-macrophage colonies using an inverted microscope. Attendees gain practical proficiency with MethoCult-classified media, learn to recognize distinct colony morphology including BFU-E, CFU-E, CFU-GM, and CFU-GEMM, and master best practices for reproducibility, contamination avoidance, and standardized data reporting. The curriculum blends small-cohort bench training with didactic review sessions led by experienced applications scientists, making it well suited for new lab members, research associates entering stem cell biology, and established investigators transitioning into hematopoietic assays. Course materials include a printed protocol manual, scoring worksheets, reference slides, and a certificate of completion. Class size is deliberately capped to preserve one-on-one bench time per participant.