Colonygrid support

Start with the training workspace

Colonygrid opens with a clearly labeled synthetic training project. Use its four plates to test analysis controls, reviewer additions and exclusions, replicate statistics, and evidence generation without importing your own image.

Capture a useful plate image

• Use even, diffuse light and avoid glare across the plate.
• Keep the camera parallel to the plate and include its full circular edge.
• Use a plain, contrasting background when possible.
• Import from Photos or explicitly tap Camera. No location permission is used.

Review the segmentation

Begin with automatic Otsu thresholding. If colonies are missed or artifacts are retained, adjust polarity, circular ROI, morphology, minimum area, shape limit, or edge exclusion. Tap Run after changing parameters. Use Add and Exclude for individual reviewer decisions; those corrections are recorded separately from the automatic result.

Check method and dilution settings

Choose the range required by your current method or SOP. FDA BAM 2026, USDA/AOAC, and custom ranges are intentionally separate. Confirm the dilution exponent and plated volume before relying on CFU/mL. Results outside the selected range are labeled as estimates.

Generate and retain evidence

Open Evidence and generate a package after final review. The package contains a PDF report, summary CSV, region-measurement CSV, JSON snapshot, and annotated images. Generated packages remain available inside Colonygrid for seven days, so share or archive them before they expire. Project records remain until you delete them.

Limits

Colonygrid is a research and documentation aid. It does not identify organisms, validate a method, diagnose a condition, recommend treatment, or replace a laboratory's validated SOP. Always review the original plate image and follow the method that governs your work.

Contact support

Include the app version, device model, iOS or iPadOS version, the screen involved, and steps that reproduce the issue. Do not email sensitive plate images or confidential sample information.