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Flow Cytometry: Unlocking the Secrets of Cells
Flow cytometry has emerged as one of the most powerful tools in modern biology and medicine, allowing scientists to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of individual cells in a rapid and precise manner. Unlike traditional microscopy, which examines cells one at a time, flow cytometry enables the simultaneous measurement of thousands of cells, providing a comprehensive snapshot of cellular populations in real time. This technology has become indispensable in immunology, cancer research, and clinical diagnostics.
At its core, flow cytometry works by suspending cells in a fluid stream and passing them through a laser beam. Each cell interacts with the light, scattering it and emitting fluorescence if it has been tagged with fluorescent markers. These signals are detected by sensors, which convert them into electronic data. By analyzing these patterns, researchers can determine cell size, granularity, protein expression, and other critical parameters.…