Colony counting FAQs
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or contact us at support@Synbiosis.com
aCOLyte FAQs
FAQ 1:We originally bought a Click'n'Count version of the aCOLyte colony counter but we are now doing a lot more plates each day and would like to upgrade to the SuperCount version. Do we need to buy a completely new aCOLyte colony counter?
No, you do not need to buy a new aCOLyte colony counter . We can upgrade your system with our SuperCount upgrade kit. The kit comprises of new hardware key and a new version of software to load on your PC. Remove the existing hardware key and replace it with the SuperCount upgrade key. Then install the software from the upgrade CD.
FAQ 2:Do you have an instrument that can cope with a higher plate volume than a SuperCount aCOLyte colony counter?
Synbiosis has a range of products which provide enhancements of the capabilities of the aCOLyte colony counter . Information on their products can be accessed via http://www.synbiosis.com
ProtoCOL FAQs
FAQ 1:What is the area of the smallest colony ProtoCOL colony counter will count?
ProtoCOL colony counter uses a CCD camera to capture an image of the sample. The smallest resolvable element in a CCD camera is a pixel. With a normal calibration of 0.15 mm/pixel, the area of one pixel is 0.0225 mm2.
FAQ 2:Can the ProtoCOL colony counter be connected to a LIMS system?
The ProtoCOL colony counter can be connected to a personal computer, or similar system, using one of the two serial ports contained on the ProtoCOL system. Four data formats are available, from simple plate Id and count per ml, to every item of data stored for each plate.
FAQ 3:Can the ProtoCOL count colonies on dark agar?
The ProtoCOL colony counter is equipped with two light sources, one below the sample in the base and one above the sample. For samples which are opaque, the top lamp is used to illuminate the top surface of the agar and reflected light enables the camera to detect the colonies.
FAQ 4:Will the ProtoCOL colony counter transfer data into other software packages?
The ProtoCOL colony counter has the ability to transfer data, on request, directly into Microsoft Excel running on the ProtoCOL system. Because of the varying nature of other packages, it isn’t possible to directly transfer data to them, but the ProtoCOL colony counter can save the results to a text file. Each item of information is stored separated by a comma and each plate result is contained on a separate line in the file. This format is often referred to as a comma separated values (CSV) format and can be imported into most software packages.
FAQ 5:How does the ProtoCOL colony counter count spiral plates?
When a two sector spiral plate is counted, the procedure is as follows:
Colonies in the outer sector of the upper half of the spiral are counted. If this count is less than the minimum count rule value (usually 20), the count of the next sector towards the centre is counted too. This procedure of counting an additional sector towards the centre is continued until the minimum count value in exceeded. When the count is exceeded, the equivalent number of sectors is counted on the lower half of the spiral. These two values are added together and displayed as the count per frame. The count per ml is calculated by dividing the count per frame by the entered sector value for the spiral plater model used. If the count in the upper half of the spiral doesn’t reach 20 when all the sectors have been counted, the ProtoCOL colony counter will automatically count the whole plate ignoring the count rule and a ‘U’ flag will displayed in the flags column of the results grid.
FAQ 6:How do you connect a barcode to the ProtoCOL colony counter and what can you do with it?
A barcode reader connects to the ProtoCOL colony counter in series with the keyboard, it generates keyboard characters that represent the characters on the barcode. The barcode is used to enter the plate Id before it is measured.
FAQ 7:Can the ProtoCOL colony counter be connected to a network?
The ProtoCOL colony counter contains an Intel EtherExpress Pro 100+ Ethernet card. This is a high quality Bus Mastering PCI network card. It is designed for use with 100Base-TX standard (100Mbps) networks over a category 5 wiring. It will also work with a 10Base-T standard (10Mbps)networks. It has an RJ45 connector to accept network cables.
FAQ 8:Can a comment be added to a batch and displayed when it is selected?
Yes, when a new batch is created a textual comment can be entered, subsequently when the batch is selected the comment will be shown on the status bar below the image window.
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