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Vibration is another factor that can negatively affect image quality. The incubator that contains your
IncuCyte™ ZOOM should be on a sturdy stand. If possible, try to schedule scans at times when the
incubator will not be accessed, as opening and closing the incubator door can cause image blurring even
on a sturdy stand. Although it is desirable to not have large gaps in data collection, it is not necessary that
the sampling be perfectly uniform. Scheduling daytime scans for just before work begins, at lunchtime,
break times and again just after working hours may produce the best results. This also ensures that
samples in the IncuCyte™ will be available during normal working hours in the lab.
Another useful rule to follow is “don’t over-scan your samples.” We recommend keeping scan times
under 45 minutes and duty cycles under 50%. As an example, 40 minute long scans scheduled every 3
hours results in a duty cycle of 22.2%. Under these conditions, any local temperature rises will typically
be less than 1 degree C and relatively short lived.
The IncuCyte™ is capable of collecting nearly 900 images in 30 minutes in all three channels, so another
good reason to avoid such “over-scanning” is to limit the amount of data collected. This will keep the
system more responsive. We have found that between 0.5 and 1 images per square centimeter is usually
sufficient to characterize the growth of cells in most tissue culture vessels. For example 48 images will
usually characterize a T75 flask very well. With good technique that results in uniform seeding, even
fewer images can be used. Also, with some slower growing cell types scanning every 4 or even 6 hours
may be sufficient.
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