Flow Cytometry (FCM)

Flow Cytometry (FCM) is a technology for providing rapid multi-parametric analysis and sorting of single cells in solution using flow cytometry.[1] A flow cytometry analyzer is an instrument that provides quantifiable data from a sample. In this process, a sample containing cells or particles is suspended in a fluid and injected into the flow cytometer instrument. The sample is focused to ideally flow one cell at a time through a laser beam, where the light scattered is characteristic to the cells and their components. Cells are often labeled with fluorescent markers so light is absorbed and then emitted in a band of wavelengths. Tens of thousands of cells can be quickly examined and the data gathered are processed by a computer.

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of flow cytometry principle.

• Cell suspensions preparation
  Obtain a cell suspension and perform a cell count. Resuspend cells in the appropriate concentration of flow cytometry staining buffer. 1 x 106 cells are typically used for antibody labeling of most cell types.
• Antibody selection
  If possible, always use directly conjugated antibodies in flow cytometry to facilitate multicolor staining and reduce background.
• Cell surface target antibody staining
  Blocking reagents are recommended for cell populations containing large numbers of macrophages, dendritic cells, granulocytes, or other immune cells.
• Intracellular target antibody staining
  Staining of intracellular targets is more complex than cell surface antibody labeling. However, with the right fixative and the right permeabilization buffer, you can obtain a wealth of data that allows for very precise cell identification.
• Running samples on the flow cytometer
  Set the voltage and flow rate, etc. Collect data from controls and experimental samples. Use flow cytometry data analysis software for data analysis.

• Powerful sorting function: it can sort specific cell populations at the same time as analysis.
• Wide applications: it is suitable for various culture supernatants, cell lysates, microorganisms, synthetic microspheres, cell serum, plasma, etc.
• Rapid detection: tens of thousands of cells or even millions of cells can be detected by flow cytometry in a few minutes.
• Comprehensive information: cells can obtain multiple information of single cells by using fluorescent dyes or different fluorescein-labeled monoclonal antibodies for multicolor staining.

• Cytology: cell counting, cell sorting, determination of cell characteristics and functions.
• Oncology: distinguish benign and malignant tumors and eliminate tumor cells in the blood.
• Immunology: diagnosis and monitoring of immunodeficiency diseases.
• Hematology: quantitative analysis of various enzymes in blood cells, such as peroxidase, and non-specific esterase.
• Pharmacology: detection of drug distribution in cells, the study of the mechanism of action of drugs, screening of new drugs.

Flow Cytometry

Flow cytometry is a sophisticated instrument measuring multiple physical characteristics of a single cell such as size and granularity simultaneously as the cell flows in suspension through a measuring device. It is most commonly used to evaluate bone marrow, peripheral blood and other fluids in your body.

Cell Culture Systems

With the ability to reduce human error and manhours, automated systems are crucial. However, large-scale coordination of the isolation and growth of cells in a controlled, sterile environment with temperature and humidity control can be daunting. To combat this, Cell Culture systems are designed to meet your individual needs and reach your automation goals.

Cell Counting

A key step in many experimental workflows involves the counting of cells. Researchers often need to count cells prior to cell culture or before studying downstream processes and using analytical techniques that require an accurate and consistent number of input cells. Cell counting plays a major role in the assessment of cell viability.

Benchtop Centrifuges

Our benchtop centrifuge portfolio offers a wide range of choices for your application requirements, from cell culture, to clinical diagnostics, to genomics. Our benchtop centrifuges provide fast and efficient centrifugation solutions for your lab in a single, compact instrument. We offer a variety of bench centrifuges for your choice for a variety of experimental studies.

Ice Maker and Dry Ice Maker

Most laboratories have access to an ice maker, since ice is used to keep samples and reagents cold during experiments or other lab work. Our dry ice makers are a safe, efficient and convenient method of producing pellets and blocks in a range of sizes. We offer a variety of models of Ice Maker and Dry Ice Maker to meet your daily experimental needs.

Pipettes and Pipette Tips

Pipette is a measuring tool that moves liquid from the original container to another container within a certain range. It is widely used in clinical diagnostic laboratories, biotechnology laboratories, pharmaceutical and chemical laboratories, environmental laboratories, and food laboratories. We provide a variety of pipettes for you to choose to use in a variety of experimental research.

STEMart provides you with a variety of flow cytometry equipment to meet your various R&D and application needs. If you have any questions or requirements for flow cytometry equipment, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

• McKinnon KM. Flow Cytometry: An Overview. Curr Protoc Immunol. 2018 Feb 21;120:5.1.1-5.1.11. doi: 10.1002/cpim.40. PMID: 29512141; PMCID: PMC5939936.