Flow Cytometry

Applications of flow cytometry

Last update: October 1^st, 2019

The two greatest advantages of flow cytometry are its ability to measure a large number of parameters (2 to 30 or more) on the same sample and its ability to collect information from millions of cells in a matter of seconds.

This analytical technique is a powerful tool for applications that include a significant number of cell analysis ranging from phenotyping to cell health and viability. For example:

• Immunophenotyping– Using fluorescence-conjugated antibodies directed toward a protein(s) of interest, cells expressing that protein(s) on the surface or intracellularly may be detected by flow cytometry. Specific cell types may be distinguished within a mixed population using multiple fluorescence-conjugated antibodies.
• Cell health status—from viability to late-stage apoptosis or programmed cell death
• Cell cycle status—providing a powerful tool to assess cells in G0/G1 phase versus S phase, G2, or polyploidy, including analysis of cell proliferation and activation. Fluorescent intensity is used to determine the amount of cellular DNA present in each cell

Flow cytometry is frequently used in:

• Onco-Hematology: cell absolute counts, diagnosis / prognosis and treatment monitoring of hematological diseases (leukemia and lymphoma), bone marrow analysis,  reticulocyte count .
• Immunology: Identification and absolute counts of immune cell populations, cytokine analysis, tissue typing, lymphocyte stimulation.
• Microbiology: bacterial and viral diagnosis, sensitivity to antibiotics.
• Genetics: karyotype, carrier diagnosis, prenatal diagnosis.
• Pharmacology: cell kinetics studies.