Flow Cytometry: Definition, History, and Uses in Biological Research

Flow cytometry, or the analysis of cells in a fluid phase, is a powerful single-cell analysis technique used in nearly every aspect of cell biology research and clinical patient cell analysis. The development of flow cytometry began with the desire to analyze and categorize cells according to their size and phenotype. There are three essential components needed for flow cytometry: instrumentation, highly specific monoclonal antibodies, and fluorescent molecules for the labeling and tagging of desired targets. Consequentially, the three components are closely interwoven and have been co-developed and evolved over many decades. This chapter will cover some of the key events in the history of flow cytometry as a basis for understanding the capabilities of this technique.