Here are some of the basics of flow cytometry: a powerful technique used to analyze and quantify the properties of individual cells or particles in a sample. It involves the use of a flow cytometer, a specialized instrument that is capable of detecting and analyzing multiple physical and chemical characteristics of cells or particles as they flow in a liquid stream through a laser beam.
In flow cytometry, the cells or particles are first labeled with fluorescent dyes or antibodies that recognize specific markers on the cell surface or inside the cell. As the labeled cells pass through the laser beam, they emit fluorescent light that is captured by the flow cytometer and analyzed in real-time.
The flow cytometer can measure a variety of properties of the labeled cells, including size, shape, granularity, fluorescence intensity, and DNA content. This information can be used to identify and quantify different cell types, measure cell cycle progression, assess protein expression levels, and analyze cellular signaling pathways.
Flow cytometry is widely used in many fields of biological and medical research, including immunology, cancer biology, stem cell research, and drug development. It is also used in clinical settings for the diagnosis and monitoring of various diseases, such as leukemia and HIV/AIDS. Overall, flow cytometry is a versatile and powerful technique that allows for the rapid analysis of large numbers of individual cells, providing valuable insights into the complexity of biological systems.
Learn about Sapio Sciences’ flow cytometry data analysis tool here.