The Synbiosis ProtoCOL 3 is the next generation instrument for colony counting, zone measurements (inhibition and antibiotic susceptibility testing), membranes, PETRIFILM^TM plates and a range of other applications including: spiral plates, OPKA (opsonophagocytic killing assay), SBA (serum bactericidal assay), Multi-sector, Multi-well, SRD (single radial immunodiffusion) and Ames. The new design now enables plates of up to 150mm diameter to be automatically read at the press of a button. Designed for use across a wide range of applications, ProtoCOL 3 will count colonies as small as 43 microns (0.043mm) or measure zones accurately to 0.5mm with a theoretical detection limit of 0.1mm.

ProtoCOL 3 has a unique LED lighting system configured for exceptional illumination of all sample types. High definition, colour images taken with a 1.4 mega pixel scientific grade CCD camera ensure that even the smallest colony can be seen and counted, while zone measurements are fast, accurate and reproducible.

ProtoCOL 3 is available with a mounted touch screen processor which enables ease of control while the easy-to-use software produces highly accurate results. Alternatively, the ProtoCOL 3 can now be used with a new or existing stand-alone desktop or laptop computer via USB connection – no additional PCI cards are required.

The system can be configured for a wide range of plate types. These include:

• Pour plates
• Spiral plates
• Multi-well
• SBA (serum bactericidal assay)
• OPKA (opsonophagocytic killing assay)
• Ames
• Inhibition zones
• AST (antibiotic susceptibility testing)
• SRD (single radial immunodiffusion)