IMAGE AND FLOW-CYTOMETRY - COMPANION TECHNIQUES FOR ADHERENT AND NONADHERENT CELL ANALYSIS AND SORTING

Flow cytometry (FMC) is an analytical and preparative technique wherea s image analysis is only applied to cell analysis. Recently, image ana lysis has been adapted as a preparative method using a new technique: image cytometry for analysis and sorting (ICAS). FCM and ICAS are comp lementary. Flow cytometry allows rapid, quantitative and precise study of fluorescence and light scattering in a large number of cells in su spension, while ICAS analyses fewer cells (adherent cells or tissue) o n the basis of fluorescence, morphology and size. ICAS can use these c riteria to destroy unwanted cells and hence sort selected cells. ICAS can also be used for confocal microscopy and laser surgery.