Method and microplate reader for investigating biological cells or cell cultures

A method for investigating biological cells or cell cultures in a microplate reader (1),

• wherein the method comprises:
• a) receiving at least one microplate (2) with wells (3) containing biological cells or cell cultures by means of a receiving device (4) of the microplate reader (1);
• b) positioning the receiving device (4) with the wells (3) of the microplate(s) (2) containing biological cells or cell cultures with respect to measuring devices (5″, 6, 7, 8) of the microplate reader (1);
• and
• c) detecting at least one integral signal in or on biological cells or cell cultures in the specific wells (3) of the microplate(s) (2) by means of at least one of the measuring devices (5″,6,7,8);
• and wherein:
• d) the biological cells or cell cultures in the specific wells (3) of the microplate(s) (2) are transilluminated by means of an illumination source (9) of the microplate reader (1),
• e) the transmission images of the biological cells or cell cultures in these specific wells (3) of the microplate(s) (2) transilluminated by means of an illumination source (9) are created by means of an imaging camera (10) of the microplate reader (1), and
• f) each of the detected integral signals is compared with the image of the biological cells or cell cultures in the corresponding wells (3) of the microplate(s) (2) by means of a processor (11′,11″) and is related to the imaged number, adherence, confluence or morphology of these biological cells.