Flow Cytometry

Flow cytometry is a technique used to analyze the physical and chemical properties of cells and particles in a fluid stream. In order to study the properties of individual cells, the cells are typically stained with fluorescent dyes that emit light when exposed to a specific wavelength of light. The cells are then passed through a flow chamber and subjected to a light source (see diagram below). The light source excites the fluorescent dyes, causing them to emit light at a different wavelength. This fluorescence is then detected by a detector, which sends signals to a computer for analysis.