A flow cytometer is an instrument used to analyze and count cells. It measures the specific properties of cells by passing them through an elongated flow channel as a single cell and irradiating them with a laser beam. Flow cytometry can provide information on cell number, size, morphology, surface markers, organelle content, cell cycle, and other parameters.
Flow cytometry works by passing the cell suspension through an elongated flow channel, passing the cells through the laser beam in a single fashion. When a cell passes through a laser beam, the laser beam hits the cell, and the cell scatters scattered and fluorescent light. Scattered light mainly includes forward scatter (FSC) and side scatter (SSC), which can provide information about cell size and complexity. Fluorescent light is caused by the emission of fluorescent dyes or fluorescent proteins labeled on cells and can provide information about cell surface markers, internal molecules, or organelles.
Quantitative and qualitative analysis of cells can be achieved through measurement and analysis by flow cytometry. Flow cytometry is widely used in biology, medical research, and clinical diagnostics, such as cell immunology, oncology, immunofluorescence staining, cell cycle analysis, apoptosis analysis, etc. It can not only analyze a large number of cell samples quickly and with high throughput, but also perform multi-parameter analysis, providing a powerful tool for scientific research and clinical diagnosis.