Abstract: There is provided a cell analysis apparatus that comprises image capture circuitry for capturing a brightfield image of a cell using brightfield imaging. The cell has been dyed by a functional dye that indicates, during fluorescence imaging and during brightfield imaging, whether the cell has a given characteristic. A model derived by machine learning is stored and used in combination with the brightfield image to determine whether the cell has the given characteristic. There is also provided a method for creating a cell categorisation model, comprising applying a functional dye to one or more samples comprising a plurality of cells. The functional dye indicates during fluorescence imaging and during brightfield imaging whether each of the cells has a given characteristic.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus comprises estimation circuitry configured to estimate, based on a calibration factor, an estimated number of cells of a first type in a dyed biological sample containing an unknown number of cells. Determination circuitry determines the actual number of cells of the first type in the dyed biological sample. Processing circuitry adjusts the calibration factor. The estimation circuitry is configured with the processing circuitry to estimate the estimated number of the cells of the first type in the dyed biological sample one or more times, based on a different value of the calibration factor for each of the one or more times, until the estimated number of the cells of the first type approaches the actual number of cells of the first type.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dispensing cells which comprises a determination unit to perform a determination as to whether a receptacle (i.e. a well) contains exactly one sample cell. This is because a medical study may require each cell in a colony of cultivated sample cells to each be derived from a common sample cell. The apparatus also comprises a dispenser to dispense one or more feeder cells into the receptacle based on the determination (i.e. when it is determined that the receptacle contains exactly one sample cell). The feeder cells which the apparatus is arranged to dispense are one or more feeder cells which are adapted to be responsive to a trigger condition being met to trigger death of that feeder cell. When the trigger condition is met, such as by controlling an environment of the receptacle, cell death of the feeder cells in the receptacle is triggered which results in only sample cells remaining alive.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus with a sample holder to hold a sample to be imaged. An image capture device has a field of view and captures an image of the field of view. Also provided is an actuator. A controller controls the actuator to cause relative movement between the sample holder and the image capture device at a given speed and at a given direction during an exposure time of the image capture device such that, in use, the sample moves across at least a portion of the field of view during the exposure time. A processor performs a deblur algorithm to deblur the image using the given speed and the given direction.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus that includes a receptacle for receiving a sample. A sample dispenser dispenses the sample into the receptacle and an image capture device captures an image of the sample in the receptacle. The image is processed to determine whether the receptacle contains zero cells, exactly one cell, or more than one cell. In response to the determination that the receptacle contains zero cells, the sample dispenser dispenses a further sample into the receptacle. A matrix dispenser dispenses a matrix into the receptacle. However, the matrix is only added to the receptacle after the image of the sample in the receptacle has been captured and after the processing circuitry has processed the image and determined that the receptacle contains exactly one cell.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus with a sample holder to hold a sample to be imaged. An image capture device has a field of view and captures an image of the field of view. Also provided is an actuator. A controller controls the actuator to cause relative movement between the sample holder and the image capture device at a given speed and at a given direction during an exposure time of the image capture device such that, in use, the sample moves across at least a portion of the field of view during the exposure time. A processor performs a deblur algorithm to deblur the image using the given speed and the given direction.