Help! Automated counting of bacteria in plates or under

[Gabriel Favelukes]

Dear netters: 

I am looking for image-processing equipment (camera, digitizer or 
other hardware, and software) for automatic counting of bacteria as 
bacterial colonies in agar plates. 

Additionally, if possible, with some modifications the set-up would 
be able also to count bacteria directly under the microscope, in a 
Petroff-Hauser-type counting chamber. 

I am thinking in either complete assemblies, or separate parts and
software, to be put together. Prices should be in the low range. 

I would appreciate very much your help in pointing to brands or 
manufacturers or suppliers, with addresses if possible, and any 
opinion on the usefulness and reliability of the products. 

I apologize if you receive repeated copies of this message, I am
mailing it to several lists and newsgroups.

Many thanks, 

Gabriel Favelukes
Instituto de Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular,
Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata,
LA PLATA (1900), Argentina.
<fave at nitfix.edu.ar>,<fave at nahuel.biol.unlp.edu.ar>