Stevej:Cell counting/hemocytometer

Overview
Counting cells with a hemocytometer.

Materials

 * Tube of cell suspension
 * Hemocytometer
 * Trypan Blue 0.4%

Procedure

 * 1) Combine 20&mu;l cell suspension with 20&mu;l of Trypan Blue. Mix.
 * 2) Load 10&mu;l into each of the 2 hemocytometer "sides" using the capillary action created by the coverslip and the hemocytometer. Avoid bubbles.
 * 3) Count the number of cells in 4 corners of the gridded area of each side. (See below) White cells are live and blue cells are dead/dying.
 * 4) Record cell count and repeat for the other side of the hemocytometer.
 * 5) If the two cell counts are roughly equivalent, average the cell counts. Otherwise, recount.
 * 6) Mean cell count/4 * Dilution = Cells x 104/ml.
 * 7) Above example, Mean cell count/4 * 2 = Cells x 104/ml.