CytoDirect Streamlines Cell Counting at University of Bern

Enhancing Precision and Productivity in mRNA Research with the METTLER TOLEDO CytoDirect Cell Counter

CytoDirect streamlines cell counting at University of Bern, where the Mühlemann laboratory depends on precise, reproducible results to advance mRNA research. Understanding how cells determine which genetic messages are valid, how they are processed, and whether they are translated into proteins is fundamental to uncovering the molecular basis of disease. Research in this field demands highly controlled experimental conditions at every stage. Inconsistent cell counts introduce errors that affect downstream experiments, compromise data integrity, and cost researchers significant time. The Mühlemann laboratory implemented the METTLER TOLEDO CytoDirect Cell Counter to eliminate this variability, significantly improving the reliability and efficiency of its processes.

About Mühlemann Laboratory

The Mühlemann laboratory investigates post-transcriptional mechanisms that regulate gene expression in mammalian cells. A central focus of its research is nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), a critical RNA surveillance pathway that eliminates defective transcripts and fine-tunes the expression of many normal genes. The lab also studies how newly synthesized pre-mRNAs are assembled with RNA-binding proteins, processes that influence mRNA splicing, export and stability. The team relies on the CytoDirect Cell Counter for precise and reproducible cell counting to support this work, significantly improving the accuracy and efficiency of its daily operations.

The Importance of Accurate Cell Counting the First Time

The Mühlemann laboratory requires reliable cell counting at multiple stages of its workflow, including for both routine maintenance of human suspension cultures and when harvesting cells ahead of experiments. Previously, the team used a brightfield image-based cell counter to determine cell density for splitting and dilution. However, they began to observe significant variability and inconsistencies in the counts, reducing confidence in the results. Nikolaos Kouvelas, a PhD student in the Mühlemann laboratory, explained: “We work with cells grown in suspension in large volumes, and it's incredibly important to count them as accurately as possible when we harvest them for experiments, but we often found our cell counts were very inaccurate.”

In some cases, team members resorted to performing several repeat counts for a single sample to gain confidence in the results, requiring substantial manual effort. Nicole Kleinschmidt, Laboratory Manager in the Mühlemann laboratory, commented: “Counting in suspension was just not precise enough. Some of our researchers started doing five to eight repeat counts for one cell line in extreme cases.”

As a result of these inefficiencies, the team began evaluating alternative technologies, specifically seeking a system based on a fundamentally different counting principle that could overcome their accuracy and precision challenges while improving overall laboratory productivity.

Cutting Edge Technology Delivers Accurate Results

Intrigued by the innovative approach that combines holographic microscopy and machine learning, the lab decided to test the Cytodirect Cell Counter to address the accuracy limitations they had experienced with previous systems. The CytoDirect Cell Counter delivers more reliable and reproducible results. It analyses a much larger surface area per measurement compared to the laboratory’s previous instrument, reducing variability in counts and eliminating the need for repeat measurements per sample. Nikolaos said: “Previously, we would have to decide on one area to count, but there would be large variation between the different areas. So we would count different areas and take an average, but this was very inaccurate. With the CytoDirect, the large surface area is a big advantage. And in time-sensitive experiments, it's also good that it is faster.”

CytoDirect streamlines cell counting at University of Bern

“The instrument is very easy to use. Even when I used it for the first time, I immediately knew how to handle it. I also like that you do not have to add a stain to the cells before counting; it is very quick. And it’s a huge benefit that we only need to count once, rather than repeating it several times.”
Marc Thierry Rotzetter, master’s student in the Mühlemann laboratory

Intuitive User Interface and Streamlined Workflow

The team appreciates the instrument’s intuitive design and straightforward workflow. Its user-friendly interface allows even new lab members to operate the system with minimal instruction, reducing training time and enabling confident and effortless adoption. Marc Thierry Rotzetter, a master’s student in the Mühlemann laboratory, explained: “The instrument is very easy to use. Even when I used it for the first time, I immediately knew how to handle it. I also like that you do not have to add a stain to the cells before counting; it is very quick. And it’s a huge benefit that we only need to count once, rather than repeating it several times.”

Karin Schranz, Biosafety Officer and Head of Cell Culture in the Mühlemann laboratory, concluded: “Nowadays, we have no doubt about the consistency of the counting. We have tested the instrument thoroughly and are confident in the results.”

“Nowadays, we have no doubt about the consistency of the counting. We have tested the (CytoDirect) instrument thoroughly and are confident in the results.”
Karin Schranz, Biosafety Officer and Head of Cell Culture in the Mühlemann laboratory

The Mühlemann laboratory's experience demonstrates that accurate cell counting directly supports better science. The METTLER TOLEDO CytoDirect Cell Counter removes a key source of variability from daily workflows, giving research teams full confidence in their results from the first count.