Laboratory news: New flow cytometry technology could have multiple uses

Flow cytometry technology under development in the US could be one of the most important laboratory products being researched for those working in the field of biology.

Chemical engineering assistant professor at New Mexico State University Dr Jessica Houston has been working on a way of solving the problem of added fluorescent dyes emitting the same light as that which naturally occurs in cells when using flow cytometers.

This can cause a headache for scientists using the instruments to identify the molecular or physical properties of cells passed through the laser beams within these devices - fluorescent dyes are added to cells to create beacons pointing to proteomic or genomic information, but they can be confused with similar light being emitted by the cells themselves.

Dr Houston is focusing on how to measure the time that passes as the added dyes release their energy and eventually allow the cells to return to their normal state.

Success in this area could lead to flow cytometers being used more effectively, thus leading to advancements in cancer and HIV/AIDS treatments, as well as in algal biofuel production, single-cell genetic engineering and marine species identification.

In Britain, Cancer Research UK is one of the main users of flow cytometry in relation to cancer studies.