Five-Color Analysis, One Laser

New detection capabilities let users perform simultaneous five-color flow cytometry | By Susan Jenkins

Fullerton, Calif.-based Beckman-Coulter recently released the Cytomics™ FC 500, an automated, bench-top flow cytometer that, for the first time, allows researchers to perform five-color analyses using a single laser. The system features a 20-mW, air-cooled argon laser (488 nm) that can excite as many as five fluorochromes, including FITC, PE, ECD, PC5, and PC7. According to Grant Howes, marketing manager at Beckman-Coulter, the system also includes completely redesigned optics that expand the range of the fluorescence detectors to 900 nm.

"With a single laser, you don't have the complexity of a second light source," explains Howes. But, users can add a second collinear, 20-mW, He-Ne laser (633 nm) to allow additional experimental permutations without the complications of...