cytométriában

Cytometry, often referred to as cell analysis, is a powerful scientific technique used to count, sort, and examine individual cells within a fluid sample. It allows for the rapid and quantitative assessment of cellular characteristics. The fundamental principle involves passing cells, suspended in a liquid stream, one by one through a laser beam. As each cell passes, it scatters light in a predictable manner, and any fluorescent markers attached to cellular components will emit light of specific wavelengths when excited by the laser.

These scattered and emitted light signals are detected by photodetectors. Different detectors are used to measure light scattered at forward angles, which correlates with cell size, and at side angles, which relates to internal cellular complexity or granularity. Fluorescent detectors capture emissions from fluorochromes, which are molecules that bind to specific cellular structures or molecules of interest, such as proteins on the cell surface or DNA within the nucleus.

By analyzing the patterns of light scattering and fluorescence emission, researchers can identify and quantify different cell populations within a sample based on their unique physical and biochemical properties. Advanced techniques like flow cytometry can also sort cells with specific characteristics into separate collection tubes for further study. Cytometry finds widespread applications in biology, medicine, and environmental science, including immunology, cancer research, diagnostics, and cell biology.