What is multi-color flow cytometry?

Multi-color flow cytometry is a technique used to simultaneously measure multiple characteristics of individual cells in a heterogeneous population. It involves labeling cells with fluorescent dyes that bind to specific cellular components (e.g., proteins). The cells are then passed through a laser beam, and the emitted fluorescence is measured at multiple wavelengths. This allows for the identification and quantification of cells based on their expression of different markers, making it a powerful tool for cell counting, cell sorting, and studying cell function in immunology, cancer research, and other fields.