Growth of animal cells on microbeads. II. Estimation of biomass in situ and observation of cytopathic effects after infection of McCoy cells with Chlamydia trachomatis.

The Channelyzer C256 together with the ZB Coulter Counter have been used to study in situ the growth kinetics of McCoy cells attached on Cytodex 3 microbeads. The number of cells per microbead varied linearly with the average size of the covered microbeads, showing that electronic particle sizing can be used to measure biomass or cell numbers. As the cells became confluent, an increase in cell volume with little accompanying increase in cell number was detected. The technique also enables the experimenter to follow in situ the development of cytopathic effects resulting from the infection by pathogens such as Chlamydia trachomatis serotype L1.