Flow cytometer

Flow cytometer is a scientific instrument used to measure and analyze physical and chemical characteristics of particles, usually cells, as they pass through a laser. It is a crucial tool in the field of cell biology, immunology, genetics, and molecular biology.

History

The development of the flow cytometer began in the 1940s with the invention of the fluorescence microscope. The first flow cytometer was developed in the late 1960s by Wallace H. Coulter, a prominent American electrical engineer and inventor.

Principle

The principle of a flow cytometer is based on the light scattering and fluorescence properties of cells or particles. The cells are suspended in a fluid and passed through the focus of a laser beam one at a time. The scattered light and the fluorescence emitted by the cells are collected by detectors and analyzed by a computer.

Components

A flow cytometer consists of three main components: a fluidics system, an optics system, and an electronics system. The fluidics system transports the cells in a stream of fluid to the laser beam. The optics system consists of a laser and detectors that collect the scattered light and fluorescence. The electronics system converts the signals from the detectors into digital data that can be analyzed by a computer.

Applications

Flow cytometers are used in a wide range of applications, including cell counting, cell sorting, biomarker detection, and protein engineering. They are also used in the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases such as cancer, HIV, and autoimmune diseases.

See also

• Cell sorting
• Fluorescence-activated cell sorting
• Magnetic-activated cell sorting

References

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