What if Flow Cytometry Wasn’t So Complicated?
Flow cytometry is one of the most powerful methods for analyzing cell populations in basic science research as well as clinical development of drug candidates. But running a flow experiment and analyzing the data has always been tricky, especially for the non-experts. Newer instruments are helping to change this paradigm.
This article is posted on our Science Snippets Blog
What is flow cytometry?
Flow cytometry is a laser-based method for analyzing the physical and chemical characteristics of individual cells in a mixed cell population. Cells are characterized based on their light scattering properties as they flow through a laser beam in single file. By adding fluorescent labeling of target molecules, it’s possible to look at multiple cell attributes in a single experiment. For example, you can look at cell phenotype and the expression of specific cell-surface markers simultaneously.
This ability to perform multi-parametric analysis of tens of thousands of cells quickly has made flow cytometry a staple technique in many research workflows. Applications where flow cytometry analysis is used include antibody discovery, immune cell function, cytokine profiling, and cell health monitoring, just to name a few.
Challenges with conventional flow cytometry
While flow cytometry is immensely useful for extracting insights from heterogeneous cell samples, there are drawbacks to conventional cytometers that impact time to results.
Non-intuitive systems with disjointed protocols have made it very time consuming to set up and run experiments. Throughput is also a key factor, and some instruments are simply not built to handle large-scale applications. But perhaps the most challenging part is the data analysis, which can get complicated with multiparametric datasets.
This is why so many labs rely on their one “super user” to help run flow cytometry experiments and interpret the results.
Empowering flow users to do more
Advanced systems are addressing some of these bottlenecks to make flow cytometry not just more powerful, but also more straightforward. The most notable advancements address major pain points that any traditional flow user can relate to:
- Analysis: powerful software helps make sense of complex datasets
- Speed: faster everything—from setup and sampling to data analysis
- Usability: easy-to-use instruments with more automation
- Miniaturization: saves precious samples and cuts reagent cost
- Insight: higher multiplexing capability means more data per cell
Advanced flow cytometry sets a new normal
Advanced flow cytometry systems have really moved the bar when it comes to fast and cost-effective profiling of small-molecule and biologics drug candidates using cell-based assays. The iQue® Advanced Flow Cytometer, for example, stands out for its ease of use and the fastest sample acquisition times in flow cytometry.
The greater capabilities when it comes to speed, multiplexing and throughput are not only relevant to industrial workflows, but also to basic research laboratories. Ultimately, it translates to more experiments getting done in a single day, which improves overall productivity.
Imagine data analysis that doesn’t hurt
Analyzing flow cytometry data using traditional software tools is a multi-step process, but modern systems with intelligent software have radically shorted the time to meaningful insights.
The iQue Forecyt® software is a perfect example of what advanced gating features and good visualization tools can do. Interactive gating lets you gate an entire 384-well plate and see the results on the screen in real time. And this is just the beginning!
The power to ask complex questions
Advanced flow cytometry systems reduce workflows from days to hours, giving scientists the information they need faster. They also generate a wealth of information per sample, allowing you to ask questions about cell type, cell health, activation status and other attributes in one go.
The iQue® Advanced Flow Cytometry Platform is a technology leader in this space, with systems that can process a 96-well plate in five minutes. Learn about the iQue® platform for high content, multiplexed analysis of cells, beads, and secreted proteins, with optimized mix-and-read kits for antibody screening, immune cell profiling, cell health and other applications.
