Cell counting for insects
and viability testing of non-mammalian cells, including insect
cells used in vaccine research.
Researchers working with non-mammalian cell lines, and particularly insect cells, may benefit from a new cell counting system developed by Guava Technologies. Insect cells are used in vaccine research and commercial vaccine production.
Guava's ViaCount Flex assay reagent can be used to conduct quick and reproducible absolute cell count and viability assessments with "a speed, ease of use and reliability that was not previously available to researchers using non-mammalian cell lines," according to the company.
"Certain biological characteristics of insect cells make them harder to analyse, so we created Guava ViaCount Flex specifically for use with these and other non-mammalian cell cultures," commented Dr Dianne Fishwild, director of applications development at the company.
Results obtained using ViaCount Flex assays show good correspondence and linear correlation to the current standard cell counting method, trypan blue hemacytometer counting, over a broad range of cell densities and culture conditions, said Guava.
Guava has published a technical note note describing validation studies comparing Guava ViaCount Flex assays of Sf9 insect cells with traditional counting methods using trypan blue staining and a hemacytometer.
The new assay is compatible with Guava's PCA (Personal CellAnalysis) tube and 96-well microplate reading systems, which make use of the firm's patented microcapillary technology that reduces the volume required for sample analysis.
