The LUNA-II™ provides a default protocol that can be used for most common cell lines. Users may create and save up to 300 unique protocols.

Dilution Factor:

The dilution factor is used to calculate cell concentrations accurately. The default dilution factor is preset as 1 for Without Trypan Blue and 2 for With Trypan Blue, assuming a 1:1 ratio of stain to cell suspension. Users can modify this value according to the dilution of the original sample in increments of 1 between 1-10 and of 10 between 10-100. For users handling highly dense cells (e.g. fermented CHO cells), serial dilutions and several counts with appropriately adjusted dilution factors will be necessary.

Noise Reduction:

This option allows for the adjustment of background noise during counting. With more noise reduction, the instrument will be less sensitive and not detect weakly stained cells. With lower noise reduction, the instrument can detect objects with faint signals. Adjusting this parameter will help optimize for different cell types as staining can vary from cell to cell.

Live Cell Sensitivity:

Live cells with intact cell membranes exclude trypan blue and Erythrosin B. The dyes form halos around live cells and stain the cytoplasm of dead cells or cells with compromised membranes. With a higher live cell sensitivity, the instrument can detect smaller cells by registering smaller halos. For most cells, this option should be set to 1. For peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or smaller, set it to  5.

Roundness:

Cells are not all completely spherical. Adjusting the roundness to detect cells of various shapes. Higher percentages lead to the counting of rounder cells and excludes objects with less roundness. Lower percentages are suitable for counting cells with irregular shapes.

Minimum and Maximum Cell Size:

Users can customize cell size parameters to detect specific cells efficiently. Values can be adjusted in 1 µm increments for sizes between 3-60 µm.

Declustering Level:

The declustering function allows for the efficient detection of a variety of cells that may clump or grow in clusters. Higher levels of declustering will increase counting time. This function is helpful for counting sticky cells or rod-shaped spores.