New fluorescence labelling software developed

Laser-activated fluorescence labelling can now be used as a platform for enhanced multicolour flow analysis.

A new process has been developed to identify, sort and count cells and other microscopic particles through the use of hydrodynamic pressure and laser-activated fluorescence labelling.

In a study published by BMC Bioinformatics, a team of scientists, including Shareef Dabdoub, William Ray and Sheryl Justice, increased the number of colours capable of being recorded during analysis from four or fewer to up to 20 simultaneously.

A mass-spectrometry based machine capable of recording at least 100 separate channels is also being developed by the team as current analysis of such high-dimensional data by visual exploration alone is prone to human error and bias.

"With this software, users can easily load single or multiple data sets, perform automated event classification, and graphically compare results within and between experiments," those behind the study explained to the journal.

The scientists concluded that the new software will make analysis of flow cytometry data more user-friendly.