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 comprising a receptacle to receive 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. Processing circuitry processes the image to determine whether the receptacle contains zero cells, exactly one cell, or more than one cell. In response to the processor determining that the receptacle contains zero cells, the processing circuitry causes the sample dispenser to dispense a further sample into the receptacle.

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: At least first and second digital images of the sample are acquired having different focal heights relative to a platform on which the cells are disposed. A contrast matrix is produced having elements computed in dependence upon the difference between the values of the corresponding pixels in the first and second images. A phase matrix is produced by convolution of the contrast matrix with a predetermined distance matrix. The phase matrix is used to assess characteristics of the sample, such as the presence of cells in the sample or the heights of cells in the sample.

Abstract: At least first and second digital images of the sample are acquired having different focal heights relative to a platform on which the cells are disposed. A contrast matrix is produced having elements computed in dependence upon the difference between the values of the corresponding pixels in the first and second images. A phase matrix is produced by convolution of the contrast matrix with a predetermined distance matrix. The phase matrix is used to assess characteristics of the sample, such as the presence of cells in the sample or the heights of cells in the sample.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus comprising a receptacle to receive 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. Processing circuitry processes the image to determine whether the receptacle contains zero cells, exactly one cell, or more than one cell. In response to the processor determining that the receptacle contains zero cells, the processing circuitry causes the sample dispenser to dispense a further sample into the receptacle.

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: At least first and second digital images of the sample are acquired having different focal heights relative to a platform on which the cells are disposed. A contrast matrix is produced having elements computed in dependence upon the difference between the values of the corresponding pixels in the first and second images. A phase matrix is produced by convolution of the contrast matrix with a predetermined distance matrix. The phase matrix is used to assess characteristics of the sample, such as the presence of cells in the sample or the heights of cells in the sample.

Abstract: At least first and second digital images of the sample are acquired having different focal heights relative to a platform on which the cells are disposed. A contrast matrix is produced having elements computed in dependence upon the difference between the values of the corresponding pixels in the first and second images. A phase matrix is produced by convolution of the contrast matrix with a predetermined distance matrix. The phase matrix is used to assess characteristics of the sample, such as the presence of cells in the sample or the heights of cells in the sample.

Abstract: At least first and second digital images of the sample are acquired having different focal heights relative to a platform on which the cells are disposed. A contrast matrix is produced having elements computed in dependence upon the difference between the values of the corresponding pixels in the first and second images. A phase matrix is produced by convolution of the contrast matrix with a predetermined distance matrix. The phase matrix is used to assess characteristics of the sample, such as the presence of cells in the sample or the heights of cells in the sample.

Abstract: At least first and second digital images of the sample are acquired having different focal heights relative to a platform on which the cells are disposed. A contrast matrix is produced having elements computed in dependence upon the difference between the values of the corresponding pixels in the first and second images. A phase matrix is produced by convolution of the contrast matrix with a predetermined distance matrix. The phase matrix is used to assess characteristics of the sample, such as the presence of cells in the sample or the heights of cells in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect a method for determining a production level of a polypeptide of interest by a cell or cell colony, comprising obtaining an image of one or more cells or cell colonies; and analyzing the image to detect a signal associated with the polypeptide of interest; wherein a signal level is determined for each cell or cell colony based on signal values from a predefined area surrounding the cell or cell colony, the signal level being indicative of the production level of the polypeptide of interest by the cell or cell colony.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect a method for determining a production level of a polypeptide of interest by a cell or cell colony, comprising obtaining an image of one or more cells or cell colonies; and analyzing the image to detect a signal associated with the polypeptide of interest; wherein a signal level is determined for each cell or cell colony based on signal values from a predefined area surrounding the cell or cell colony, the signal level being indicative of the production level of the polypeptide of interest by the cell or cell colony.