GelCount™ 2 mammalian cell colony counter for colony, spheroid and organoid analysis

GelCount is an integrated hardware and software platform that images multi-well plates or Petri dishes containing cultured mammalian cell colonies, spheroids or organoids and processes the images obtained to yield a per well or per dish count of objects detected and object diameter statistics, all of which can be exported directly into Excel.

GelCount is conceived specifically for objective and reproducible detection and analysis of non-adherent mammalian cell colonies, spheroids or organoids in semi-solid media, an otherwise painstaking procedure carried out under a microscope.

GelCount combines high-resolution / high depth-of-field CCD scanning hardware with a software-controlled sample loading mechanism that automatically sends images to a PC via a USB bus. Image processing occurs via proprietary software residing on the PC incorporating a powerful, purpose-written image processing algorithm.

GelCount will be of interest to biologists utilizing colony, spheroid or organoid formation to measure the therapeutic response of drug candidates and other treatment regimens, typically on cancer cells in vitro. Secondary applications include the cell proliferation assay, the invasion assay or bacterial and yeast colony counting.

Yes! The GelCount is also perfectly suited to imaging and accurately detecting stained, adherent cell colonies in multi-well plates and Petri dishes.

Generally no. In most circumstances GelCount will reliably detect colonies, spheroids or organoids cultured in 3D assays (soft agar, Matrigel, etc.) without staining. In some instances (e.g. high background, or very small spheroids/organoids) performance can be enhanced with MTT-based metabolic stains. These do not stain the medium, just live cells (recommended protocols available on request).

Strictly speaking no. GelCount does not use magnifying optics and was conceived to detect cell aggregates (colonies, spheroids, etc.) of approximately 30 cells or more, rather than individual cells. However, at its maximum resolution GelCount is capable of distinguishing individual adherent cells, provided they are well stained and discrete. Under ideal conditions, GelCount may be useful for quantifying the output of cell proliferation assays or trans-well assays.

Yes, the image analysis algorithm offers extensive user-optimization, including minimum and maximum object diameter thresholds. User-generated detection settings can be stored as templates for future analysis sessions.

Depending on the morphology of colonies, spheroids or organoids being imaged, the spacing between them, and the overall contrast conditions, GelCount can reliably detect and generate morphometric data for objects as small as 50 µm in diameter at the maximum available imaging resolution setting. For applications involving the detection of smaller objects GelCount provides a dedicated 'centres only' mode capable of providing a simple count of objects as small as 10-20  µm (e.g., single, stained cells in proliferation assays, cell conglomerates in trans-well assays).  

GelCount is compatible with almost all brands of multi-well plates (from 6-well plates through to 96-well plates), with almost all brands of 35 mm, 50 mm, and 100 mm Petri dishes, and specifically with Ibidi® 15-well 3D chamber slides. 

The rate limiting step is image acquisition, which is a function of the chosen imaging resolution and of the plasticware type in use. The GelCount will require approximately 5 minutes to image and process four 6-well plates at 600 dpi (a typical case), or under 30 minutes to image and process four 96-well plates at maximum resolution (the most demanding case).

Yes! Up to four multi-well plates, up to four 100 mm Petri dishes, up to twelve 50 mm Petri dishes, or up to twenty-four 35 mm Petri dishes, or up to twelve Ibidi® 15-well 3D chamber slides may be imaged and processed simultaneously.

Yes! In 2026 we announced the availability of an automated, robotic sample loading solution based on the Robotic Benchtop Assistant (RBA) platform by Astech Projects Ltd., UK. The announcement can be viewed here.

Not at this time; GelCount software is currently only available for PC / Windows®.

Multi-core processor, 16 GB system memory or above, solid state storage, USB 2.0 or 3.0, Windows 11, Microsoft Excel pre-installed.

Typically none! GelCount is compatible with off-the-shelf plasticware; there are no consumables that require purchase from Oxford Optronix. The only consideration is preventative maintenance, which is optional but recommended every 2 years for devices in regular use. Please contact support@oxford-optronix.com for details.

Yes, depending on geographical location we are able to offer an on-site demonstration or short term product evaluation. A one-to-one screenshare-based product and software introduction is also offered. Please contact our sales team to explore these options.