Abstract: Systems and methods for the automated culture of cells and apparatus and methods for dissociating one or more colonies in a culture of cells are described. The automated systems include at least an imaging module, a pipette module, a handling module, and optionally a stage module. Coordinated operation of the foregoing modules is effected by at least one processor based on one or more characteristics of the culture of cells calculated from one or more images captured at a first time point and at one or more subsequent time points. The apparatus includes a mounting surface, having one or more impact bumpers, connected to a rotatable drive, a platform rotatable dependently or independently of the drive, and one or more impact brackets connected to the platform and collidable with the one or more impact bumpers to transmit a dissociative force to a culture of cells in a cell culture vessel upon the platform.