Bio-Rad's New TC10™ Automated Cell Counter Counts Mammalian Cells in 30 Seconds

Date: 
2010-03-22

Easy-to-Use Alternative to Manual Hemocytometer Cell Counting

Hercules, CA — March 22, 2010 — Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. today announced the introduction of the TC10 automated cell counter, which accurately and reproducibly provides total mammalian cell counts in 30 seconds or less—eliminating the need for manually counting cells under the microscope using a hemocytometer.

Cell biologists, molecular biologists, and biochemists count cells prior to cell culture or before starting other processes and analytical techniques such as transfection and real-time PCR, both of which require an accurate and consistent number of input cells. The tool used by most researchers, the hemocytometer, is vulnerable to subjective bias that can lead to varying results among researchers.

"Researchers find cell counting with a hemocytometer to be a major bottleneck and source of frustration," said Richard Kurtz, Senior Marketing Manager, Bio-Rad Laboratories. "Not only is counting cells with a hemocytometer extremely labor intensive and tedious for researchers, because there is so much subjectivity, counts are sometimes unreliable and difficult to reproduce. The TC10 automated cell counter offers a simple, rapid, and reproducible alternative to the hemocytometer."

The TC10 cell counter completes the counting of mammalian cells—suspended or re-suspended adherent—in one simple step, initiating a count immediately upon slide insertion. Unlike other cell counting devices, which may draw inaccurate conclusions from using a single plane of focus to assess cell viability, the TC10 cell counter scores each sample across multiple planes. The unique auto-focus technology and image analysis algorithm provide accurate and reproducible cell counts in less than 30 seconds for cell concentrations between 5 x 104 and 1 x 107 cells/ml and cells within a 6–50 µm diameter range. Since only 10 µl of suspended cells is required for counting, precious sample is conserved.

Cell viability can also be assessed with the TC10 cell counter with the use of trypan blue, a dye which is excluded from live cells and incorporated into dead cells. The system recognizes the presence of trypan blue without user intervention and provides both cell count and cell viability, in less than 30 seconds.

The TC10 cell counter saves time with its on-board dilution calculator which can determine the volume adjustments needed to achieve the cell concentration for the next passage or experiment. In experiments using trypan blue, the dilution calculation is based on the number of live cells.

Using the USB port, researchers can export annotated JPEG image files of their samples for further analysis or download counting data in a spreadsheet compatible format. Results can also be printed directly onto labels using the separate TC10 printer.

For more information please visit www.bio-rad.com/TC10

About Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb), has remained at the center of scientific discovery for more than 50 years, manufacturing and distributing a broad range of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. The Company is renowned worldwide among hospitals, universities, major research institutions, as well as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for its commitment to quality and customer service. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is headquartered in Hercules, California, and serves more than 85,000 research and industry customers worldwide through its global network of operations. The Company employs over 6,700 people globally and had revenues of nearly $1.8 billion in 2009. For more information, visit www.bio-rad.com.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "intend," "estimate," "continue," or similar expressions or the negative of those terms or expressions. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. For further information regarding the Company's risks and uncertainties, please refer to the "Risk Factors" in the Company’s public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect an analysis only and speak only as of the date hereof. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

NOTE TO THE EDITOR:
Information in this release applies specifically to products available in the United States. Product availability and specifications may vary in non U.S. markets.

If you choose to review this item, your readers will receive the quickest response to their inquiries by emailing them to lsg.orders.us@bio-rad.com or by calling 1-800-424-6723.

For more information contact:
Richard Kurtz
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
800-876-3425x 5638
Richard_Kurtz@bio-rad.com

Ken Li
Chempetitive Group
312-997-2436
kli@chempetitive.com