Flow Cytometry

Part of a cell analyser

We are a team of expert scientists providing high-quality cell analysis and sorting services for the research groups at the Crick.

Flow cytometry is a way of analysing and sorting individual cells or particles by passing them one at a time through one or more laser beams. We can get information about their size and shape by measuring the way the light is scattered by the cells, and, by using various fluorescent dyes, we can tell whether they are dead or alive and actively dividing. These dyes can also tell us information about the molecules inside or on the surface of the cells.

There are two main techniques in flow cytometry: analysis and sorting. Analysing machines can look at more than 20,000 cells per second, providing a rapid readout of the characteristics of a sample of cells, while cell sorters separate different populations of cells into individual ‘pots’ for further experiments.

We work together with the research groups at the Crick to develop and test new experiments and methods that will help them to answer important scientific questions, as well as helping out with interpreting and presenting cell analysis and sorting data in the most effective way.

We also keep up to date with the very latest flow cytometry techniques and tools, so we can find the best ways to help the Crick’s researchers make fast, efficient progress with their work.