Gram staining is used daily as a method for detecting microorganisms in various research fields and industries. However, there are some problems with Gram staining, such as the need for skilled workers to perform the staining process consistently, and the physical and mental strain on workers caused by the unique odor and staining properties of the reagents.

During the development of the "Microbial Estimation AI Software BiTTE®-iE", there were many requests to automate not only the determination of bacteria after staining but also the staining of samples for the above reasons, which led us to start the development of the "PoCGS®-iE Research Use Only Automated Gram Stainer".

As we surveyed the market during the development process, we learned that various industries, mainly in the industrial sector, use their own unique and creative methods for Gram staining. As for the installation place of the unit, we heard many requests to keep the exclusive floor space as small as possible, since various test devices were already installed in the area.

Therefore, we proceeded with development based on the design concept that the staining process (we call it "staining recipe") can be customized by the user and that it should be as small, light, and simple as possible. (*Multiple staining recipes by the user can be stored.)

In addition, the staining quality, which is the most important aspect of the product, is equivalent to that of skilled experts. We are proud that this staining quality has been achieved through several years of collaboration with various academia and institutes. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the researchers who have contributed to the development and verification of this instrument.

The PoCGS®-iE Research Use Only Automated Gram Stainer can be used to perform standard Gram staining as well as customized Gram staining for each site in a stable and repeatable manner, resulting in improved sample estimation accuracy. We hope that our PoCGS®-iE will help those involved in microbiological detection and testing.