Personal Flow Cytometers

They can be closed systems, optimized for ease-of-use with pre-set assay kits, or open systems that allow full customization of parameters, lasers, and detection channels to match diverse experimental needs.

Their performance is heavily influenced by optical configuration: more lasers and detectors unlock more analytical power, but at a higher cost. Instruments range from affordable single-laser models to high-performance, multi-laser systems that can scale from three colors to thirteen, paired with automated sampling.

Essential Features

• Personal flow cytometers are available as closed systems with pre-set assays, enabling fast and routine workflows without the need for complex setup. Alternatively, open systems give researchers complete control over instrument parameters, laser configurations, and detection channels for fully customized experiments.
• The personal flow cytometry instruments can be equipped with multiple lasers and detectors to expand color and parameter detection capabilities. Many models feature field-upgradable designs, allowing users to add functionality as research needs grow.
• Most flow cytometry systems provide absolute cell counts without the need for counting beads. They can achieve event rates of up to 35,000 events per second and process samples at speeds of 1 ml per minute, with dynamic ranges extending up to seven decades for precise measurements.
• Advanced features include acoustic focusing for consistent sensitivity with varying sample concentrations, microfluidic platforms that require minimal sample volumes and generate low waste, and magnetic column enrichment for pre-analysis sample preparation. Some models also integrate cell sorting capabilities, enabling downstream experimentation on isolated populations.
• Designed for ease-of-use, these instruments often support plug-and-play installation and feature automated workflows for walk-away convenience. Many can be unpacked, installed, and ready for sample acquisition in less than an hour.

Applications

• Cell health analysis: Personal flow cytometry equipment enables comprehensive studies of cell viability, apoptosis, and proliferation, providing precise and reliable data for health status assessments.
• Cell signaling research: These systems are ideal for detecting pathway activation and measuring phospho-protein expression, supporting detailed investigations into cellular communication and signaling mechanisms.
• Immunology: Flow cytometry systems can facilitate immune cell profiling and surface marker detection, making them indispensable for immunophenotyping and immune function studies.
• Bacterial & microbial studies: They can be used to monitor GFP expression, evaluate cell viability, and assess metabolic activity in bacterial and microbial samples with high sensitivity.
• Rare cell analysis: Certain models can analyze as few as 1,000 cells with exceptional accuracy, making them suitable for rare and precious sample types.
• Pre-enrichment workflows: Instruments equipped with magnetic separation capabilities allow pre-analysis enrichment, ensuring higher quality results for downstream assays.
• Sorting for downstream experiments: Systems with integrated cell sorting enable the isolation of specific populations, allowing researchers to perform functional studies on targeted cells.

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