Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.

Yes, we designed our thermalisation unit to fit all 24*60 cover slips.

Do you need further informations ?

Download our features overview.

Our innovation relies on coupling a temperature calibration of our systems and a smart algorithm taking into account all the sources of heat lost: the room temperature fluctuations and the heat sink played by the objective lens.

We performed several experiments and set up two specific calibrations whether an immersion objective was in contact with the coverslip or not. Our software integrates these data and calculates a correcting factor depending on the type of objective lense you will use for your experimentation. As a consequence, the temperature you set in the software is exactly the one that is experienced by your cells.

You’re still needing some informations ?

Heat sink played by immersion oil objectives

The strength of our system is based on microfluidic heat transfer efficiency. Due to this specification, it cannot be applied to multiwell systems, neither to high volumes (>1ml) except for 35mm Petri dishes.

We worked on dedicated methods to remain as close as possible to standard methods used in labs.

As a consequence, cells are simply placed on a cover slip and our thermalisation unit comes on top of it, like if toping with a second cover slip. The cells are hence sandwiched in between two cover slips. Different solutions can be used to avoid crushing cells (agar pads, spacers…).

Do you need further informations ?

Which is the real temperature of your sample during live cell imaging?
The importance of seal chambers to avoid evaporation while doing live-cell imaging with thermalization

Yes it is compatible with 35mm Petri dishes.

You’re still needing some informations ?

You can check the mammalian pack.

This is a physical parameter that no system can avoid but which is absent when using immersion objective lenses. This phenomenon is limited when a robust air condition is used in the microscope room.

Do you need further informations ?

Which is the real temperature of your sample during live cell imaging?

We offer several options adapted to your needs. In the context of the full plug and play CherryTemp platform, we provide a dedicated closed loop fluidic system with a pump regulating the liquid flow.

This all-inclusive system offers several advantages:
– It ensures that the sample temperature corresponds to the settings because our calibrations are performed with the constant flow rate provided by this pump/loop system.
– It facilitates the setup as there is only one tank.

However, if you already have pumping equipment, just get in touch and we will assess compatibility of your needs and our system. As long as you respect the minimal flow rate conditions that we provide (at least 4.5ml/min), thermalization will be guaranteed.

CherryTemp fits any microscopes (upright and inverted). We developed dedicated ergonomic elements to fit any brands of microscope (Zeiss AxioImager, Nikon Ti Eclipse, Olympus IX81…).

Our customers answer you !

“The Cherry Temp is perfect for use in imaging core facilities. Its design allows its installation on a wide panel of upright and inverted microscopes and easy training of users thus, promoting development of innovating research project. Dr. Stéphanie Dutertre, BIOSIT LABORATORY, FRANCE

You’re still needing some informations ?

Fits upright and inverted configurations
Optically compatible with many illumination types and high-resolution techniques

The only differences are linked to the mounting system for your samples. We optimized the observation area to fit your needs. The specifications are only guided by the requirements of your experimentations. The core CherryTemp system remains unchanged so that you have nearly no extra-costs if you plan to use different models.

We do not need to come to install the system as we set-up a dedicated installation process. We first  interact with you before the shipping to understand your set up and constraints so that we can provide a platform adapted to your environment and tips for an easy installation. Then we send the system and we accompany your team with remote sessions to make sure all the users will get all the knowledge for a smooth utilization of the system.

Our priority is to make things simple for you so we ensure full after-sales service and we will always be available by email/skype to assist you and answer any question.

Yes. We initially provide 6 chips with the system. Each chip has a lifespan of 2 months.

We usually don’t offer this possibility as we have too much demand and we cannot satisfy it. If your application fits in one of our product packs, feel free to get in touch and we will be happy to give you more details. Of course we can also put you in contact with some of our customers or partners who can tell you more about the system from a user point of view.

The CherryTemp software is compatible with windows 7 or lastests versions

Our customers are our main priority and we make sure we provide the best possible after-sales service. We have a common goal which is getting feedback on our platforms and speed-up the publication of your results! We set-up a support process with a maximum 24 hours answer to your enquiries (out of free days). We have a procedure that describes the escalation of the issues, and time to resolve. In practice, we work a lot with video conference but can also take control of the system at a distance so that we can diagnose issues and resolve them remotely. When it’s a hardware issue we will make our most to replace it quickly.
We also have a premium support service offer that you can purchase by which we send you a replacement platform within a week should you have any problem, so that you don’t have to wait any issue resolution to continue your experiments.

Cherry Care is an additional service we designed, you can subscribe to the service at any time, there are options for Fast-publication (3 months engagement) or Premium  (1 year engagement).

You’re still needing some informations ?

Cherry Care details.
Subscribe Cherry Care insurance.

Our delivery time is currently 2 months after receipt of a valid Purchase Order. However, for urgent reasons (such as grant particularities, financial exercise closure…), do not hesitate to get in touch and we will work to find a solution.

Yes. We can provide a free-of-calibration software to let you controlling specific setups. However, if you use your own chips, you will have to make your own calibration.

Yes and these are additional calibrations that we are currently performing using this robust 4-point electrode deposition. However we already checked using other techniques (sensors, PT100…) and those techniques were not able to detect the difference.

No. Lasers do not go through our chip as they are reflected.

For phase contrast: You will see the artefacts of the polymer but you will be able to see your sample.

For DIC: We do not have very clear answer yet!!

The temperature controller solutions available on the market do not provide a sensor in direct contact with the sample. To our point of view, it creates a lack of reproducibility between the experiments. That was why we develop a new device and we have made an innovative solution to overtake this problem.

Our innovation relies on coupling a temperature calibration of our systems and a smart algorithm taking into account all the sources of heat lost: the room temperature fluctuations and the heat sink played by the objective lens.

This is the only one product which propose this innovative algorithm embedded in an intuitive software provide with our device. Altogether, we ensure a 0.1°C precision, and a unprecedented stability over time within a large temperature range (5 to 45°C).

Thanks to our dual-channel heat exchangers, a shift between two temperatures takes only a few seconds (10 seconds) and does not rely on the starting or ending setting: the highest is the gradient between two temperatures, the fastest is the speed of change therefore it takes around 10 seconds both for a 5°C delta change or a 40°C delta change.

Yes. We have a dedicated software (CherrySoft) which controls the entire system. We had a particular attention to make it simple and ergonomic with its small windows that can be arrange in parallel of your microscopy software. It just takes a click of a mouse to set up the temperature in the system and perform the ultra-fast temperature changes.

We worked to limit evaporation by providing a dedicated spacer (a silicon elastomer) that you simply put on the coverslip. It creates a well where cells and medium can be pipetted. When our thermalization chip comes on top, it creates a closed chamber which limits evaporation over time.

Do you need further informations ?

The importance of seal chambers to avoid evaporation while doing live-cell imaging with thermalization

You are right that a change in temperature will create a focus drift. This is a physical law that we cannot change. However, your microscope might be equipped with an autofocus system. We performed experimentations with microscopists to troubleshoot their hardware autofocuses and they were able to readjust the focus after drastic temperature changes.

Alternatively, as this delta-focus variation is constant between your two temperatures the focus change is predictable and you could save the proper focus point before starting the experiment.

It is a strong point of our CherryTemp system to ensure temperature precision but also homogeneity and stability over time. The temperature homogenous on the sample area with a 0.1°C precision given that the distance between our thermalization unit and your sample remains under 0.5mm (500µm).

This is excellent specifications compared to most systems where there can be several degrees difference and big homogeneity problems, which can become worse with the heat sink of immersion objectives or the extra heating of halogen lamps.

We use a combination of several methods for extra accuracy, combining a thermal camera to validate all manufactured systems, micro-electrodes deposition at the sample location (see 4-points electrode deposit method), numerical algorithms and biological confirmation experiments as a last check (thermosensitive mutants for instance).