Mouse Lymphoma Assay

Sorcerer colony counter for Mouse Lymphoma Assay (MLA) The L5178Y mouse lymphoma assay, using the thymidine kinase (tk) gene, is the most widely used in vitro mammalian cell gene mutation assay. There are two methods for performing the assay, one using soft agar medium for cloning and enumeration of mutants, and the other using liquid medium and 96-well microwell plates. Perceptive Instruments have supplied colony sizing and data processing systems for the soft agar version of the assay for over a decade. Our current solution for soft agar MLA utilises the colony counting and sizing capabilities of the Sorcerer image analysis system.


Sorcerer Colony Counter

Soft agar mouse lymphoma colony sizing system

The Sorcerer Colony Counting system is the ideal solution for the Soft Agar version of the Mouse Lymphoma Assay. The system uses a purpose built Petri-viewer to obtain a high contrast image of the culture dish. Sorcerer produces a complete size distribution based upon colony area or diameter.

MLA Excel spreadsheet included with every system

Sorcerer is supplied with an Excel spreadsheet specifically developed for MLA. The spreadsheet seamlessly integrates with Sorcerer and allows accurate colony counting with instant size distribution information.

In addition, the spreadsheet can be used to record daily culture maintenance data. After counting both mutant plates and viability plates, the spreadsheet will automatically calculate the mutant frequency, mutant index and relative plating efficiency.

The data tables generated are clear, concise and an accepted way of presenting soft agar MLA data. Within the soft agar MLA spreadsheet, you can identify and annotate plates which were not counted. This may include those which have become contaminated, broken, or discarded due to severe toxicity.

The spreadsheet can be configured for different experimental set-ups. After choosing the number of positive controls, negative controls and test cultures, the spreadsheet is generated with the correct number of rows and columns for your experiment. The spreadsheet can be used for both plus or minus S9 investigations.

Sorcerer Colony Counter for MLA

  • High contrast, high resolution plate imaging
  • Purpose built lighting for optimum soft agar MLA plate illumination
  • Classification of up to 50 different colony sizes
  • Rapid, accurate count data
  • Instant colony count and size information exported to Excel
  • MLA culture maintenance data included
  • Automatic calculations: mutant frequency, mutant index & relative plating efficiency
  • Logical and concise data presentation - designed with help from current soft agar MLA experts.
  • Bespoke spreadsheet configuration - for your soft agar MLA experimental set up.

Sorcerer Colony Counter overview