Life science researchers who want to expand their capabilities beyond traditional cell counting instruments can now do so with the Countess II FL, a next-generation, bench-top assay instrument with a modular design that broadens the number of applications on a single platform.The Countess II FL Automated Cell Counter is a next-generation, bench-top assay instrument designed with a modular design to broaden the number of applications on a single platform. (Photo: Business Wire)

“The most important upgrade is the system’s multiple channel fluorescence capabilities, which would benefit our lab by enabling us to analyze multiple cells at once. This new instrument could also allow us to do quick and preliminary analysis of cells preemptively to more expensive downstream analyses.”

While most cell counters on the market have been limited to green and red fluorescent protein (GFP/RFP) channels, the new Countess II FL Automated Cell Counter is a three-channel (brightfield and two optional fluorescence channels) system that uses state-of-the-art optics and image analysis to perform assays for cells in suspension, including cell counting, fluorescent protein expression, apoptosis, cell viability and cell cycle assays. Designed with flexibility in mind, the Countess II FL can also be configured to use a full range of EVOS light cubes that provide more than 13 fluorescence color options.

The instrument is competitively priced to fit the budget of most laboratories and can operate with a reusable glass chamber slide to reduce the cost of consumables. Disposable slides are also available for simplicity and easy clean-up. As research needs and lab budgets increase, the Countess II FL can be upgraded at any time from a brightfield counter (without light cubes) to a multi-application fluorescent system with the EVOS light cubes.

“I would describe the new Countess II FL as accurate, consistent and effortless,” said Ravi Pathak, Ph.D., post doctorate associate in the Sikora lab of Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine told Attain Health. “The most important upgrade is the system’s multiple channel fluorescence capabilities, which would benefit our lab by enabling us to analyze multiple cells at once. This new instrument could also allow us to do quick and preliminary analysis of cells preemptively to more expensive downstream analyses.”

The new instrument builds on the success of its predecessor, which was first introduced to the market in 2008. Like the first-generation instrument, the Countess II FL Automated Cell Counter uses trypan blue staining combined with a sophisticated image analysis algorithm to produce accurate cell and viability counts in seconds.

“Our goal is to provide our customers with innovative tools that are designed to grow with the needs of their research and to meet their budgetary demands,” said Brett Williams, vice president and general manager, Cell Analysis, at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “With the launch of the Countess II FL, we are introducing a platform that enables multiple applications in a single instrument that helps keep down cost and moves science forward.”

The Countess II FL Automated Cell Counter is for research use only, not intended for diagnostic purposes.