Flow Cytometry: Advancing Precision in Cell Analysis
Flow cytometry has become one of the most powerful and versatile technologies in modern biological and medical research. It enables scientists and clinicians to analyze and sort cells or particles suspended in a fluid stream with remarkable precision and speed. By measuring various physical and chemical characteristics of individual cells, flow cytometry provides valuable insights into cell biology, immunology, cancer research, and clinical diagnostics.
At its core, flow cytometry works by passing cells in a single-file stream through a laser beam. As the laser light interacts with each cell, detectors capture information about the cell’s size, granularity, and fluorescence intensity. Fluorescent markers or dyes are often used to label specific cellular components, such as surface proteins, DNA, or intracellular molecules. The emitted fluorescence signals are then analyzed by sophisticated software, allowing researchers to identify and quantify different cell populations within a heterogeneous sample.