Florescence activated cell sorting or Flow cytometry permits concurrent measurements of numerous florescence and light scattered events by illuming single cells or molecules in suspension as they flow through a sensing area. Distinct cells or particles could be tangibly separated corresponding to their biochemical properties and biological parameters, while the light is scattered on the molecules either in the form of forward or side scatter. The forward scatter is resourceful in distinguishing between the live and dead cells while the side scatter provides evidence for the granulated content within the particle of interest. A consolidation of both the scattered configurations is helpful in delineating multiple cell types in a given cell population. The flow cytometry is a useful resource and relevant in the separation of the cells based on their subtype or epitope manifestation and the process is popularly known as cell sorting or FACS analysis. Depending on the needs of the experiment, in some circumstances where a composite population of cells is under scrutiny there is a need to sequester unique cohort of cell populations for additional studies. Cell sorting enables parting and categorizing cells based on phenotype as regulated by specific antibody-antigen interactions, DNA and RNA content, or even malformed cell states such as apoptosis and cell death. FACS has been applied successfully to probe the complex cellular processes on a large variety of biological materials which include intact and viable cells as well as fixed permeabilized cells. For example; it is possible to separate distinct cell populations using optical flurochromes that could react with specific chemical groups, antigen specific florescent antibodies, florescent lectins, lipids, florescent nucleic acid sequences along with cell membrane potential sensitive florescent dyes. Novus Biologicals in the fore front specializing in flow cytometry reagents for your cell sorting and offer latest range of investigative tools for your FACS needs.
