Cell Counting and Viability Measurements

The growth of mammalian cells in culture can be monitored by a number of parameters related to the increase of cellular biomass over time. The simplest method is by cell counting at regular intervals. In routine cultures this would be performed once a day, which corresponds to the approximate doubling time of mammalian cells during the exponential growth phase. This would establish an overall growth profile of a culture. More frequent counts would be required to follow more subtle changes that may, for example, be associated with the cell growth cycle.