Articles

Flow cytometry remains the most powerful tool for studying apoptosis in cell populations. However, many researchers may not be aware of the variety of options available for apoptosis markers. Here we explore the use of flow cytometry in apoptosis research and examine...

Cytometer technology is continually improving, with more lasers, detectors, and channels to allow the measurement of more parameters. But researchers are too often reluctant to expand the scope of their experiments for fear of increasing design complexity. This month...

This month we explain why antigen density is important to flow cytometry studies, describe how it is measured, and list some useful references for known antigen expression densities... 1. Why Antigen Density Matters 2. Methods for Determining Antigen Density 3....

Getting started in flow cytometry may seem overwhelming, so we’ve broken the flow cytometry experiment down into seven basic steps. 1. Select your Cytometer 2. Design your panel 3. Optimizing your staining protocol                                                 4....

The commercial availability of antibody-linked fluorescent dyes has expanded rapidly over the past decade. Where researchers were once limited to a handful of common dyes (FITC, PE, APC, PerCP, etc.), they can now choose from an extensive list of fluorescent dye lines...

Proper compensation is critical for accurate interpretation of your flow cytometry data. Therefore, we have compiled this “comprehensive” list of compensation tips to help improve your analysis. Sections: What is Compensation & Why Do I Need it? Best Practices for...

The “reproducibility crisis”, or the inability for researchers to replicate results or reproduce findings remains a growing concern for a wide range of scientific disciplines. This month, the National Association of Scholars published an excellent report examining the...

Posted on: Apr 3, 2018 We know you put a lot of time and effort into your flow cytometry experiments. Follow these 7 tips to ensure that your high-quality flow data is more likely to be published! Select the right cytometer Prepare your samples correctly Design a...

What is a dump channel? Simply put, a dump (also called an exclusion) channel is used to group and exclude everything that is not of interest for your study. This typically involves using one or more antibodies to stain antigens that are known not to be expressed by...

What is a dump channel? Simply put, a dump (also called an exclusion) channel is used to group and exclude everything that is not of interest for your study. This typically involves using one or more antibodies to stain antigens that are known not to be expressed by...

Cell viability dyes are critical controls for proper flow cytometry analysis. Dead cells can skew data by causing cell aggregation, contributing to cellular autofluorescence or nonspecifically binding detection antibodies. This is especially problematic when measuring...

Flow cytometry gating can often seem like a daunting task. While there is no single solution, experienced cytometrists can recommend several tips beyond “praying for good data”. Here we define gating, explore gating methodologies, and provide some useful tips for...

This month we explore the ever-expanding selection of commercially available fluorescent antibodies and how researchers are getting better data by designing more colorful panels. Sections: Research Trend Toward More Colors Suppliers Expanding Fluorescent Catalogs...

FluoroFinder has integrated cytometer configurations for over 500 cores! (You can check for yours here). With so many researchers now using FluoroFinder to design their flow cytometry experiments, we wanted to share some of the excellent feedback we have received....

If you are working with a shared flow core facility, then you probably know how important it is to get the most out of your limited cytometer time. Aside from costing your lab time and grant money, shared cytometers are a valuable resource so booking additional time...

You may have read about a growing “reproducibility crisis”, where scientists are increasingly unable to replicate the results of their colleagues’ scientific experiments. To combat this trend, research teams are emphasizing collaboration throughout the experiment...

Analyzers & Cell Sorters Selecting the optimal cytometer for your experiment can be as important as the panel you design. We have compiled this useful list of popular cytometers for your reference. However, you should also consult your flow core manager for their...

We have compiled tips to void the 6 most common pitfalls of cytometry experiment design and analysis. Learn how to avoid failed experiments, save time and frustration and get better data! Sections: Reagent/Fluorochrome Selection Controls Sample Prep Spillover...

Note: The flow dictionary is not alphabetical, but rather grouped by the logical order of a cell as it flows through a cytometer. If you are looking for a particular term, it may be easiest to use the ctrl+f search function. Sections: Fluidics Optics & Detection...

Understanding Flow Cytometry Beads Immunobeads, or antibody-coated nanoparticles, are useful for a variety of flow cytometry-related applications. Here we outline the most commonly used bead types and explain how they can be used for cytometer calibration,...

Could a new product improve your experiment? Has that new antibody been vetted by reliable testing? Researchers have seen tremendous growth in the number of commercially available marker and dye combinations designed for flow cytometry. As new products come online,...