STEMvision

This automated instrument from STEMCELL Technologies images and counts colonies in hematopoietic colony-forming unit (CFU) assays, providing a standardized alternative to manual scoring with a microscope. By applying consistent algorithms, the system is intended to reduce the subjectivity inherent in manual colony counting and to minimize variation between different people scoring the same assay.

Designed for use with meniscus-free six-well culture plates that prevent meniscus formation in 35 mm wells, the reader supports a more uniform distribution of culture medium and reduces optical distortion so that colonies at the well edge can be more easily counted. It is suited to human cord blood, bone marrow, and mobilized peripheral blood CFU assays cultured in methylcellulose-based media, as well as mouse bone marrow progenitor assays. Reported correlations between automated and manual counts in 14-day cord blood assays (n=130) include R²=0.96 for total colonies, R²=0.89 for BFU-E, and R²=0.94 for CFU-G/M/GM; bone marrow assays (n=120) show R²=0.95 for total colonies and R²=0.94 for CFU-G/M/GM.