This page last changed on Jul 11, 2013 by klimov.

Categories, methods

Method Notes Applicability
Adaptability
Flowcytometry in a flow with optical detection
   - Optical Forward Scatter or (FSC). Seems to be most efficient for optical power utilization.
   - Optical Side Scatter or (SSC)
   - Optical Absorption
   - Fluorescence
   - Multispectral with single detector: color-space-time coding (UCSD)
FSC seems to be most efficient for optical power utilization and most common "signature" parameter, proxy to the organism biomass
SSC is quite dependent on the size and configuration of the scattering organism and if collected at one angle only, can be hard to interpret.
Fluorescence is common for taxonomy; signal levels are much lower, and usually require calibration with fluorescent bits.
"Traditional" flowcytometry and most common for bench top instruments. 
Pros:
- established method
- seems to be best for taxonomy (with fluorescence)
- resolution and ID size range down to sub um

Cons: 
- size range is relatively narrow
- method of counting cells is optimized for relatively narrow range of target organism sizes
- hard to interpret data for larger cells (> 50um) with complex morphology
Pros:
- probably can be adapted in a reasonable size / power configuration (miniaturization of a Seaflow)
- CytoSub can propable be integrated to Dorado


Cons:
- high cost
- usually bulky and complex instruments
- requiring multiple detectors and alignment
- miniaturized Seaflow must compromise on power and sensitivity, and would have even narrower dynamic range
Imaging flow cytometry
   - Configuration of the channel: round or flat
   - Primary imaging system, vs. "image on trigger".
   - Combination with adherent cytometry: Celico (Cyntelect, purchased by Brooks Automation)
Commercial imaging flow cytometers seems to be oriented for oceanographic/ environmental markets.
"Image on trigger" helps to identify larger cells with complex morphology as add-on to "traditional" cytometer
Pros:
- wider dynamic range
- better resolves larger cells with complex morphology

Cons: 
- fundamental limit on low side of dynamic range; optical resolution > 1-2 um, ID limit is > 5-10 um
Pros:
- relatively wide detection size range
- relatively simple fluid handling/ maintenance

Cons:
- require processing power;
- training/ image database;
- harder to implement fluorescence
Holographic Imaging
SHM, Submersible Holographic Microscope (Resolution Optics)
Pros: ???
Pros: 
- LISST-HOLO adapted to Dorado

Bulk optical properties
    - Size-dependent diffraction
  Pros:
- optically, this is fast acquisition method

Cons: 
- can be computationally intensive
- bulk optical properties measured as oppose to individual cells
- set of assumption on optical properties/ shapes of cells 
Pros:
-  and LISST-100 adapted to Dorado
Mass-spectrometry cytometry
     
Microfluidic cytometry Traditional flow cytometry with cell counting/, with the exception that sample handling is performed in a microfluidic structure usually made of silicone rubber.
Emerging technology; attempt to reduce size, cost of traditional flow cytometer; and also to simplify maintenance or confine the fluid handle for toxic/ biohazardous specimens 
  Pros:
- confined fluid path
- simplified integration of solid-state detectors and light sources

Cons:
- how to maintain/replace microfluidic component
Adherent cell cytometry.
   - Proxy to membrane properties, mobility, cells size
   - Resistance in a micro channel. Coulter counter, and proxy to cell volume
     


Trends:

Continue to decrease in size and energy consumption.

Use of smaller laser diodes/ solid state lasers.

Increase in detection and precision measurements

Lower cost especially for medical and bio sciences

 
Challenges

Limited dynamic range vs. unpredictable wide range population composition

Trade-off between size range, concentration range, and throughput is really optimized for *narrow range* of those parameters

If detection volume is set to be able to resolve pulses from small particles, then statistics on larger cells with low concentration is becoming unacceptably slow

 

Document generated by Confluence on Feb 03, 2026 16:08