Journal Article

Flow Cytometry: The Next Revolution

Ostafe, Raluca, Rajwa, Bartek, Iyengar, Sharath Narayana, Fischer, Rainer, Robinson, J. Paul

2023

Overview

Unmasking the subtleties of the immune system requires both a comprehensive knowledge base and the ability to interrogate that system with intimate sensitivity. That task, to a considerable extent, has been handled by an iterative expansion in flow cytometry methods, both in technological capability and also in accompanying advances in informatics. As the field of fluorescence-based cytomics matured, it reached a technological barrier at around 30 parameter analyses, which stalled the field until spectral flow cytometry created a fundamental transformation that will likely lead to the potential of 100 simultaneous parameter analyses within a few years. The simultaneous advance in informatics has now become a watershed moment for the field as it competes with mature systematic approaches such as genomics and proteomics, allowing cytomics to take a seat at the multi-omics table. In addition, recent technological advances try to combine the speed of flow systems with other detection methods, in addition to fluorescence alone, which will make flow-based instruments even more indispensable in any biological laboratory. This paper outlines current approaches in cell analysis and detection methods, discusses traditional and microfluidic sorting approaches as well as next-generation instruments, and provides an early look at future opportunities that are likely to arise.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Automation / Blood / Cells / Chromosomes / Flow cytometry / Flow Cytometry - methods / fluorescence-based cytomics / Forecasts and trends / Genomics / high-throughput analysis / Immune system / Informatics / Medical research / Methods / Microfluidics / Microscopy / multiomics / Principles / Proteomics / Review / single-cell analysis / spectral flow cytometry / Technology