Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting

Authors: Sherrif F Ibrahim Ger van den Engh

Publish Date: 2007

Volume: , Issue: , Pages: 19-39

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Abstract

Flow cytometry and cell sorting are wellestablished technologies in clinical diagnostics and biomedical research Heterogeneous mixtures of cells are placed in suspension and passed single file across one or more laser interrogation points Light signals emitted from the particles are collected and correlated to entities such as cell morphology surface and intracellular protein expression gene expression and cellular physiology Based on userdefined parameters individual cells can then be diverted from the fluid stream and collected into viable homogeneous fractions at exceptionally high speeds and a purity that approaches 100 As such the cell sorter becomes the launching point for numerous downstream studies Flow cytometry is a cornerstone in clinical diagnostics and cheaper more versatile machines are finding their way into widespread and varied uses In addition advances in computing and optics have led to a new generation of flow cytometers capable of processing cells at orders of magnitudes faster than their predecessors and with staggering degrees of complexity making the cytometer a powerful discovery tool in biotechnology This chapter will begin with a discussion of basic principles of flow cytometry and cell sorting including a technical description of factors that contribute to the performance of these instruments The remaining sections will then be divided into clinical and researchbased applications of flow cytometry and cell sorting highlighting salient studies that illustrate the versatility of this indispensable technology

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