Milk somatic cells counter NucleoCounter SCC-100

Description

The NucleoCounter SCC-100 system provides reliable, fast and objective somatic cell counting based on automated fluorescence microscopy. The system allows the user to stain and count cells with good protection against potentially hazardous DNA staining dyes.

The SCC-100 somatic cell counting method represents the best alternative to manual methods, providing objective and reliable results. In addition, NucleoCounter technology provides the user with increased security compared to other comparable methods.

The NucleoCounter System for Somatic Cell Analysis includes:

• NucleoCounter SCC-100 Analyzer
• SCC cassettes for sample handling
• cell lysis buffer

The system identifies and counts individual somatic cells containing stained DNA. Sample pretreatment is designed to provide efficient staining of cellular DNA, but also helps dissolve cell aggregates and reduce scattering from fat globules and protein micelles present in milk.

Fluorescence microscope

The compact fluorescence microscope integrated into the SCC-100 somatic cell counter contains LEDs (light emitting diodes) as an excitation light source, excitation and emission filters, optics (lenses) and a CCD camera. In addition, NucleoCounter contains advanced software for processing the resulting image analysis.

Before activating the fluorescence microscope, the sample is loaded into a disposable SCC-Cassette which is then inserted into the instrument. The cover is in closed position to prevent the light from interfering with the analysis results. The measurement is activated by pressing the "RUN" button. The analysis takes only 30 seconds.

When the button is pressed, a mechanism is activated that presses the piston of the cassette. Thus, the colored lysate mixture is transported through the cassette flow system. The shape and size of the flow channels facilitates efficient mixing of the lysate and dye mixture. Sensors control the flow of liquid, and when the colored lysate mixture reaches the measuring chamber of the cassette, the mechanism of the cassette piston movement stops.

The measuring chamber is illuminated with green light. The green light passes through the excitation filter before reaching the measurement chamber. The filter only transmits green light of the appropriate wavelength to excite propidium iodide (PI).

Green light will excite DNA-bound PI, and in turn, PI will emit red fluorescent light. Some of the green light will pass through the measurement chamber along with the red fluorescent light. Green light is removed by an emission filter that only transmits red. An optical lens system focuses the red light onto the camera's CCD chip. In this way, a fluorescent image of the contents of the measuring chamber is recorded. Each spot in the image represents a cell containing PI-stained DNA.

Specifications

Analysis time 30 seconds
Capacity up to 100 samples / hour
Working Factor 1,000
Dimensions 38 x 26 x 22 cm
Weight 3 kg
Printer not included
Software SomaticView ™ computer software for documentation and presentation of acquired data - not included