Abstract: In the automated method according to the invention for monitoring cell culture growth, in particular bacterial growth, a receiving dish (24) with a nutrient medium (38) is provided onto and/or into which is applied a cell culture, in particular a sample of human or animal tissue, such as blood, to which bacteria have been added and which also contains one or a plurality of reagents, in particular antibiotics. A microscope (10) having a camera (18) and an image acquisition plane adapted to be moved along the optical axis (20) is provided, and the receiving dish (24) is brought into the microscope (10) for monitoring a potential growth of the cell culture in the nutrient medium (38).