Advanced Instrumentation Improves Microparticle Analysis

Exosome research is getting hotter, so we are going to periodically include articles regarding the topic. Small particle analysis requires some extra steps to resolve a particle. There are new technologies and modifications to standard flow cytometers that can improve performance in resolving these particles. Today, we will discuss a couple of new technologies available. Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks.

The first is Resistive Pulse Technology. This instrument employs the Coulter Principle, where the displacement of a known amount of electrolytes is converted to a size signal. This is helpful for attaining precise and accurate sizes without the negative influence of a high refractive index that may distort sample size.

The next type of instrumentation is imaging coupled with flow cytometery. A unit with this capability can generate an image of an event. This is helpful in confirming if what you are seeing is an actual small particle. It takes some refining of the technique, but having an image in addition to forward scatter and fluorescent signal provides the analyst with additional confidence as they hone in on small particles of interest.