Posted by jayaram in Flow Cytometry has numerous applications and as in case of PCR it might be said that the applications of flow Cytometry are limited only by our own imagination. A detailed discussion of these applications is impossible her. However, major well documented applications have been cursorily dealt with.
Cell cycle analysis
By simultaneous measurements of DNA, RNA, cell size and protein, it becomes possible to define cells’ position in the cell cycle. It also becomes possible to sort cell populations in different cell cycle phases and to subject each population to biochemical analysis.
Studies on chromosomes
It is possible to determine karyotype of a cell using flow Cytometry. For example Chinese hamster embryo cells were treated with the fluorochrome propidium iodide. The chromosomes were then analysed by exciting at 480 nm and studying the fluorescence at wavelength above 560 nm. All 11 chromosomes gave a different peak. By extension it can be said that altered karyotype would give an altered fluorescent pattern. Such studies therefore achieve great significance in studying malignant cells that often demonstrate an altered karyotype. Moreover, genetic counseling can also benefit from flow Cytometry as the altered karyotype can be studied very easily and quickly. High speed chromosome sorters are now in use to facilitate the task of mapping the human genome.
Leukocyte characterization
Two colour fluorescence characterization of acridine orange treated leukocytes makes it possible to distinguish between lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes and to sort them out. Acridine orange is also utilized to characterize leukocytes from patients with various kinds of neoplasma such as leukemia’s, lymphomas etc. In addition flow Cytometry is also utilized for differential leukocyte counting where it gives very precise values.
Only a few representative applications have been cited above. In addition it may be said that flow Cytometry finds numerous application in the fields of cell differentiation, immunology, parasitology, sperm analysis, food science, pharmacology and toxicology, cancer biology and carcinogenesis, bone marrow analysis, tissue typing and lymphocyte applications, and T-cell subset analysis.
Flow Cytometry is increasingly being used for sorting different cellular populations. Thus, different leukocytes, macrophages, and many other types of cells are routinely sorted using flow Cytometry.