The use of image analysis for estimation of growth in bone marrow cultures

An image analysis system was used to assess growth in agar bone marrow cultures. The technique has advantages over visual counting techniques; it saves time, increases objectivity, reduces operator errors, and may be used to estimate total cell growth or mean clone size. Either measurement may be used to determine activity levels of factors that affect growth such as colony stimulating factors. The advantages and limitations of the technique will be discussed.