Assay Guide
Step-by-step instructions for running SnapCyte™ assays in the web app. Use Snapshot to quickly analyze up to 10 images, or Experiment to group by replicates, treatments, and timepoints for complete analysis.
1. Proliferation Assay (Confluency)
Track cell growth over time by measuring % area covered by cells.
Steps:
Select “Proliferation Assay.”
Upload phase-contrast images at consistent magnification.
In Experiment, assign groups (treatment arms), replicates and timepoints.
SnapCyte™ returns confluency % per image and growth curves.
🎥 Watch: How to capture proliferation assay images using your phone
This video shows how to acquire images with a phone adapter. If you’re using a digital microscope, just select the assay and upload your images.
For how to structure replicates, groups, and timepoints, see the Experiment Setup Video.
2. Cell count
a. Adherent Cell Count (Web Only)
Estimate total cell count directly from plate images.
Steps:
-
Select “Adherent Cell Count.”
-
Upload 1–10 representative images per replicate.
-
Use Experiment to assign groups and replicates.
-
SnapCyte™ calculates cell count per image and per well.
To see how to upload and organize images, refer to the Snapshot or Experiment Setup video.
Note: This assay is not available on the mobile app.
b. Suspension Cell Count + Viability
This assay allows you to estimate total cell count from single cell solutions on a hemocytomer (or other slides) plus evaluation of their viability using stains like Trypan Blue (TB). SnapCyte™ provides quick, reliable results, accommodating various hemocytometer depths, and ensuring consistency across experiments.
Steps to Conduct a Cell Count & Viability Assay
- Step 1: Sample Preparation
- Prepare your cell suspension and mix it with the viability stain. For accurate results, use a 1:1 dilution factor with your chosen dye.
- Ensure your sample is a single-cell solution to avoid inaccuracies.
- Step 2: Capture Images
- Use a hemocytometer with a 0.1 mm chamber depth for automated concentration calculations. Supported hemocytometer types include Neubauer, Improved Neubauer, Bürker, and Bürker-Türk.
- Capture images of the chambers at 10X magnification. Ensure that the images are clear, well-lit, and focused.
- Step 3: Analyze
- Select the Cell Count & Viability Assay option and your images.
- If using a hemocytometer, check this option to trigger automated concentration calculations.
- SnapCyte™ will analyze the images, identifying live and dead cells based on the staining. The software provides a detailed count, viability percentage, and concentration of your sample.
🎥 Watch: How to capture suspension cell images using your phone
Video demonstrates phone-based image capture on a hemocytometer. If using a digital scope, just select the assay and upload your images
3. Transwell migration/invasion assay
Quantify % area of stained cells that migrated through a membrane.
Steps:
Capture ≥3 images per well after staining, at 10X.
Select “Invasion Assay.”
Use Experiment to define treatment groups and replicates.
SnapCyte™ returns % area covered by invasive cells.
🎥 Watch: How to capture invasion assay images using your phone
This video shows phone-based image capture. Digital microscope users can go straight to selecting the assay and uploading images.
