Basics of Flow Cytometry

Author

Zosia Maciorowski - Flow Cytometry Core Facility at the Curie Institute, Paris (Retired)

Zosia Maciorowski was responsible for the Flow Cytometry Core Facility at the Curie Institute in Paris, France for 28 years, from which she recently retired. Originally from Montreal, she graduated from McGill University and worked in the UK, Canada and the US, where she was finally introduced to flow cytometry in the 80’s, specializing in solid tumor preparation and cell cycle analysis. She served as chair of the ISAC Membership Services Committee and the Education Committee and is currently chair of the Live Education Delivery Subcommittee of the Education Committee which organizes workshops around the world, particularly in resource limited areas where there is little access to cytometry education.

Summary

This introductory course covers the basics of flow cytometry, starting with a short overview of light scatter, fluorescence, fluorochromes and their characteristics. We then walk through the inside of a basic flow cytometer with detail on the fluidics, optics and electronic components. The effects of fluorochrome spectral overlap and spillover are discussed. Finally, we look at how the new spectral cytometers function and how they differ from conventional cytometers.

At the end of this course, you will understand the basics of light scatter and fluorescence and how conventional and spectral flow cytometers function. You will have learned how factors such as instrument setup and spectral spillover can affect flow cytometric measurements. Hopefully this understanding of how a flow cytometer works will help you to better plan experiments and ensure quality results on your instrument.

This basic course is an initiation to flow cytometry and is aimed at students and scientists with no prior knowledge.

*ISAC is pleased to offer this course complimentary to the cytometry community.

CMLE Credit: 1.0