Blog

Performing in front of Large Audiences is a Dream come true for Not Dillon

Published

5 years ago

November 21, 2019

Discovering your true calling is often a long winding road. If you’re lucky, you’ll find what you’re looking for along the way. The situation is even more complicated when a person pursues one field and later decides to switch over to a completely unrelated one. Dillon Shamoun, aka Not Dillon, is amongst the few people who made this choice at a young age. He chose his own path as a massively talented musician who travels the world, performing in front of large audiences, and living his dream.

Like any curious youngster, Dillon tried his hand at several things before realizing that music was the answer he had always been searching for. Slowly he delved deeper, and today he is an avid music producer, songwriter, and DJ. Having worked with several big names in the industry, Dillon has built a commendable reputation over the last three years. Each time he goes onto the stage to perform in front of gargantuan audiences, it is truly like living his dreams.

Dillon’s self-released tracks have turned many heads, having garnered him more than a million streams worldwide. A firm believer in powerful collaborations, he has gained more than 10 million views on projects where he has worked with or for others. He even climbed his way to the top of Spotify’s curated playlists, with several of his releases being ranked at number one.

Before Dillon surrendered his soul to music, he excelled at sales in Apple and closed some of the biggest deals at Quicken Loan. When asked about why he chose music as his path, he shared, “It all started after I began to attend music festivals with my friends. When I saw them performing in front of enormous crowds, it struck a chord in my heart. After I performed at my first few festivals, I knew that music was my path to inner fulfillment.”

Currently, Dillon is focusing on releasing new music on a regular basis. Many of his previous releases have helped him gain a great deal of recognition, especially in the digital space. Despite his young age, he continues to explore, experiment, and evolve as a musician, continually pushing the limits of his creativity. From studying kinesiology in the past to becoming a well-known musician, Dillon’s passion for music is unrivaled. He is truly in his element when he finds himself on stage, gazing upon a broad audience, doing what he does the best.

Blog

Applications of Automation in Research and Clinical Diagnostics

Published

2 months ago

May 18, 2024

Rosario Farell

Precision counts in the fields of science and medicine. This is particularly true for the basic task of counting and analyzing cells, which is used in both clinical and research settings. The introduction of automatic cell counters, which provide efficiency and accuracy that manual approaches cannot match, has resulted in a notable advancement in this field.

What is Automated Cell Counting?

Automated cell counters are advanced instruments that are made to precisely and swiftly count and examine cells. In contrast to manual counting methods that rely on human vision and a microscope, automated counters use software algorithms and image technology to count and analyze cells. This ensures more accurate findings by expediting the procedure and lowering the possibility of human error.

Type of Automated Cell Counters

There are several types of automated cell counters used in research and clinical diagnostics, each employing different technologies and methods for cell counting. The main types of automated cell counters include:

● Image Cytometers: These devices use optical microscopy to statically image cells, which are frequently labeled to detect certain molecules or provide contrast. Cell counting is aided by the automation of image cytometers made possible by digital cameras.

● Flow Cytometers: Use a regulated flow of suspended cells to align individual cells for analysis. Staining cells with fluorochromes enables visual characterization of the cells and facilitates high-throughput analysis.

● Cell Sorters: Arrange cells according to their electrical properties. Sorting is accomplished by dividing the fluid stream containing the cells into droplets whose electrical charge varies according to the kind of cell and guiding them into various containers.

● Time-Lapse Cytometers: Allow for continuous monitoring of cells in an incubator by employing non-heat-generating light sources, such as LEDs, in conjunction with image cytometry to investigate cellular dynamics without causing damage to living cells.

● Hemocytometers: A qualified technician, an optical microscope, and a gridded slide with known volume wells are used in this manual cell counting approach. Up until the 1950s, hemocytometers were the norm for counting cells.

These various types of automated cell counters provide effective and precise methods for cell counting and analysis, each with unique benefits and uses in clinical and research environments.

Research

Automated cell counters have become indispensable tools in understanding cell behavior. They are used in various research fields, including cancer research, drug discovery, and stem cell therapy.

One of the key benefits in research is the ability to handle large volumes of data. For instance, in drug discovery, automated counters can quickly analyze the effects of thousands of compounds on cell growth and death. This high-throughput capability accelerates the pace of research, allowing scientists to screen potential drugs more efficiently than ever before.

Moreover, automated cell counters offer the precision required to detect subtle changes in cell populations. This is crucial in fields like cancer research, where understanding the behavior of cancer cells can lead to the development of more effective treatments.

Clinical Diagnostics

The impact of automated cell counters extends beyond the research laboratory and into clinical diagnostics. In medical laboratories, these devices play a critical role in routine blood tests, infectious disease diagnostics, and monitoring patient health during treatment.

For example, in a routine complete blood count (CBC), automated cell counters can quickly provide a detailed analysis of different blood cell types. This information is vital for diagnosing conditions such as anemia, infections, and blood cancers. The speed and accuracy of automated counters mean that patients can receive diagnoses and begin treatment more swiftly.

In the context of infectious diseases, automated counters can detect and quantify specific pathogens or immune cells, helping to diagnose infections quickly and accurately. During the COVID-19 pandemic, automated cell counting technologies were instrumental in monitoring virus spread and patients’ immune responses, showcasing their value in crisis situations.

Challenges and Future Directions

The initial cost of these devices can be high, and their operation requires specific technical expertise. Additionally, different types of cells and conditions may require customized counting protocols, necessitating ongoing adjustments and updates to software algorithms.

Looking ahead, ongoing advancements in technology promise to further enhance the capabilities of automated cell counters. The global cell counting market growth is anticipated at a CAGR of 7.5% by 2032. Innovations in imaging technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are expected to improve accuracy, speed, and the ability to analyze more complex cell characteristics. As these technologies evolve, automated cell counters will become even more integral to research and diagnostics, opening new avenues for scientific discovery and patient care.