Flow Cytometry to Analyze & Count Cell Populations

Flow Cytometry use in Thai regenerative medicine combines high-data content abilities of microscopy with the high throughput analysis of captured images of cells and particles in multiple channels. The flow cytometry data file provides our cell biologists the specifications needed to understand cell population strength before stem cell treatments begin.

Basics of Flow Cytometry – VIDEO

Our stem cell bank in Bangkok uses laser guided Flow cytometers to analyze cell populations such as CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells that are in suspension. Flow cytometry machines measure the exact characteristics of stem cells as they flow in the cell culture while in suspension. ^[1]

For proper analysis of cells flow cytometry requires samples be in single cell form in culture growth medium but under suspension.

Some clinical applications for flow cytometry at the cell regeneration center of Thailand extend far beyond traditional counting of lymphocyte immunophenotyping. We also use Flow cytometers in cell cloning,to analyze micro particles in PRP platelet plasma and endothelial-derived adult stem cells,cord blood derived,placenta derived and embryonic stem cells. ^[2]

A modern flow cytometer consists of 3 systems: optics,fluids and the electronics.

• The optic system is made of lasers that illuminate nano-particles in the viewing stream  and allows optical filters to easily direct the light signals to the appropriate detectors.
• The Fluid system helps transport the actual particles in the visible stream to the laser beam to be detected i.e using markers.
• The last and most important piece is the electronics system that converts the light signals into binary electronic signals for computers to understand ^[3]

Modern flow cytometry allows for special laser instruments to identify and sort cells based on their markers. The same system can also be used to customize delivery by sorting out undesired cell types by sorting them out using charged particles to deflect the undesired cell phenotypes.^[4]

Published Clinical Citations

[1] ^ E A M Eldebaky, H M E Afifi, S A Pessar, A M S Ahmed, Implication of Flow Cytometry-Based Maturity Score in Risk Stratification of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Adult Egyptians, QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 113, Issue Supplement_1, March 2020, hcaa044.006, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcaa044.006

[2] ^ S. Elias, O. Almogi-Hazan, M. Aker, A. Ben-Yehuda, A. Bayya, Y. Tal, A diagnostic challenge: PCP in a non-HIV patient, QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 104, Issue 10, October 2011, Pages 889–891, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcq208

[3] ^ R M Said, H M Abdelbary, A M Elaffifi, R A El-Gamal, K A Almuawi, Flow cytometric assessment of CD30 expression in adult patients with acute leukemia, QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 111, Issue suppl_1, December 2018, hcy200.092, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcy200.092

[4] ^ A.C. Phillips, D. Carroll, C.R. Gale, M. Drayson, G.D. Batty, Lymphocyte cell counts in middle age are positively associated with subsequent all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 104, Issue 4, April 2011, Pages 319–324, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcq199