Considered an industry standard, most turn to the well-established method of optical density (OD) for biomass monitoring. However, while it is a well-known measurement type, several drawbacks make this not a “best fit” solution for many applications. Recent advances in technology, both in and outside the field of biotechnology, have led to new approaches. One such approach, backscatter, is a fast-growing trend that is helping researchers move past the “black box” of cell culture. But which one is right for your application? Learn about the pros and cons of both working principles and how they influence the measurement.