ChemoMetec A/S - SP1-Cassette

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SP1-Cassettes

The SP1-Cassette is a highly specialised device, which holds the key to several of the unique features of the NucleoCounter SP-100. The fluorescent dye propidium iodide (PI) is immobilized in the interior flow channels of the disposable cassette. When the cassette has been loaded with approximately 50 µl of sample mixture the PI is dissolved and mixed with the sample, staining the nuclei of the sperm cells.

After placement in the NucleoCounter SP-100 the stained mixture is automatically transferred to the measurement chamber where the fluorescent image is recorded. The measurement volume is as large as 1 µl.

After analysis the sample and the PI is contained inside the cassette, which can be safely discarded. This offers a safe sample handling and disposal.
As the SP1-Cassette contains the entire flow system as well as the measurement chamber, neither cleaning nor maintenance of the NucleoCounter instrument itself is needed.

The fluorescent dye propidium iodide (PI) stains the DNA of cell nuclei. The PI intercalates with the DNA with 1 dye molecule per 4-5 DNA base pairs.

As little as about 2.8 μg of PI is immobilized in each SP1-Cassette.
As PI stains the cell nuclei the cell membranes needs to be permeable to the dye. The dye cannot penetrate a viable cell and thus it is necessary to lyse the cell membrane prior to staining, when counting the total amount of cells. This is done when the sample is diluted with Reagent S100.

Non-viable cells, on the other hand, are permeable without further lysing, and can therefore be stained directly with the PI and counted by the NucleoCounter SP-100. Combining these two results makes it possible to determine the cell viability of a sample.

NucleoCounter Concept

NucleoCounter YC-100 Concept

NucleoCounter SCC-100 Concept

NucleoCounter SP-100 Concept

SP1-Cassette