By Patrice McCoy
Cytometry is the field of science that studies single cell characteristics. It can provide useful information on chemical as well as physical properties of a cell. The device used in this process is called a flow cytometer. Earlier this field was called as pulse cytophotometry and was developed initially using a patent for cytometry based on fluorescence. The modern name of cytometry was accepted only 8 years afterwards.
A cytometry device is used to isolate cells in a suspension and force them past a single point while taking in vital pulse readings through plethora of measurement instruments. Thus, it translates the pulse generated from each cell into viable chemical and physical characteristics.
The modern cytometry device is akin to a microscope. The difference only lies in the fact that while a microscope takes pictures of the cell and its interior, a cytometry unit usually distinguishes cells based on their reaction to light based on behavior or characteristics. Most modern age tools are capable of reading through multiple particles at once and then segregating them all based on their features in real time. However, they require a liquid suspension of the cells in order to do this.
A flux cytometry device consists of five different parts. They include a measuring unit, an amplifier, a computer, the sheath fluid, an ADC and detector. All these components perform specific functions and are all part and parcel of a modern age device. Unlike early models, each component today comes inbuilt into one large machine.
The sheath fluid will align all cells as they pass through the device so that they are in single pass formation perfect for scanning. The measurement unit usually measures the impedance and optical components of each cell using xenon and mercuric lamps, different lasers and other devices. In order to then convert light signals into electrical or electronic bursts, an ADC system is used. This is an analogue to digital converter and it is necessary to process data into a computer. The amplifier simply increases the electronic signal strength for a computer to analyze.
This process of collecting information from a cell sample using a cytometric device is called acquisition and it is done in a computer using special software that can handle the interface with the cytometry device. This program is also what allows scientists and lab technicians to input search data and segregate information into the device so as to accordingly categorize cells.
Initially, the cytometry devices were experimental by nature because of limited technological development. Today, due to immense technological improvements, these devices are used in medical centers, research labs and in testing labs. As a result of its wide spread usage, many fluorescent antibodies were labeled that were earlier unknown.
Today, most modern cytometers use more than one laser and detector. The current record for maximum lasers and detectors stands at four and 18 for any flow cytometer. With more number of lasers, clarity improves while greater detectors ensure that markers are better visible, translated and caught on camera.
A cytometry device is used to isolate cells in a suspension and force them past a single point while taking in vital pulse readings through plethora of measurement instruments. Thus, it translates the pulse generated from each cell into viable chemical and physical characteristics.
The modern cytometry device is akin to a microscope. The difference only lies in the fact that while a microscope takes pictures of the cell and its interior, a cytometry unit usually distinguishes cells based on their reaction to light based on behavior or characteristics. Most modern age tools are capable of reading through multiple particles at once and then segregating them all based on their features in real time. However, they require a liquid suspension of the cells in order to do this.
A flux cytometry device consists of five different parts. They include a measuring unit, an amplifier, a computer, the sheath fluid, an ADC and detector. All these components perform specific functions and are all part and parcel of a modern age device. Unlike early models, each component today comes inbuilt into one large machine.
The sheath fluid will align all cells as they pass through the device so that they are in single pass formation perfect for scanning. The measurement unit usually measures the impedance and optical components of each cell using xenon and mercuric lamps, different lasers and other devices. In order to then convert light signals into electrical or electronic bursts, an ADC system is used. This is an analogue to digital converter and it is necessary to process data into a computer. The amplifier simply increases the electronic signal strength for a computer to analyze.
This process of collecting information from a cell sample using a cytometric device is called acquisition and it is done in a computer using special software that can handle the interface with the cytometry device. This program is also what allows scientists and lab technicians to input search data and segregate information into the device so as to accordingly categorize cells.
Initially, the cytometry devices were experimental by nature because of limited technological development. Today, due to immense technological improvements, these devices are used in medical centers, research labs and in testing labs. As a result of its wide spread usage, many fluorescent antibodies were labeled that were earlier unknown.
Today, most modern cytometers use more than one laser and detector. The current record for maximum lasers and detectors stands at four and 18 for any flow cytometer. With more number of lasers, clarity improves while greater detectors ensure that markers are better visible, translated and caught on camera.
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