Flow cytometers are advanced analytical instruments used for high-throughput, single-cell analysis, enabling researchers to evaluate physical and biochemical properties of thousands of cells per second. These systems are essential in immunology, oncology, hematology, stem cell research, and cell therapy development, where detailed cellular profiling is critical.
Flow cytometry works by suspending cells or particles in a fluid stream and passing them through a laser beam. As the cells interact with the light, they scatter and emit fluorescence, which is detected and analyzed to quantify properties such as cell size, granularity, DNA content, and surface marker expression. This allows for the simultaneous analysis of multiple parameters on individual cells—a process known as multiparametric analysis.
Common applications include immunophenotyping of immune cell populations, tumor marker detection, apoptosis and viability assays, cell cycle studies, and cell sorting for downstream use. In clinical labs, flow cytometry plays a key role in HIV monitoring, leukemia/lymphoma classification, and transplant compatibility testing.
There are two main types of flow cytometers: analytical flow cytometers, which focus on data acquisition, and cell sorters (FACS), which physically separate cell populations based on defined markers. Many modern systems offer multi-laser configurations, automated sample loaders, compensation controls, and integrated data analysis software for high-throughput operation and precision.
At Wasteless Bio, we offer access to surplus and pre-owned flow cytometers from trusted manufacturers. Listings include full specifications such as number of lasers, detector sensitivity, sample throughput, fluorochrome compatibility, and sorting capability. By sourcing through Wasteless Bio, laboratories benefit from advanced cellular analysis tools at significantly reduced cost—while supporting sustainability through the reuse of high-quality scientific instrumentation.
Flow cytometers are advanced analytical instruments used for high-throughput, single-cell analysis, enabling researchers to evaluate physical and biochemical properties of thousands of cells per second. These systems are essential in immunology, oncology, hematology, stem cell research, and cell therapy development, where detailed cellular profiling is critical.