Flow cytometry antibodies

Flow cytometry antibodies are essential tools for analyzing specific antigens on the surface or within cells, enabling researchers to characterize cell populations based on their expression profiles. These antibodies can be either directly conjugated to a fluorescent probe or used in conjunction with a secondary antibody that is fluorescently labeled, allowing for the detection of targeted features such as cell surface receptors. The choice between monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies is significant; monoclonal antibodies bind to a single epitope, providing low background noise and high specificity, while polyclonal antibodies, which recognize multiple epitopes, can be more cost-effective but may introduce greater background interference.

Common applications of flow cytometry antibodies include:

• Immunophenotyping: Sorting immune cells based on specific markers.
• Assessing cell viability: Determining the health status of cells.
• Analyzing cell cycle states: Understanding the phases of the cell cycle.

The effectiveness of these antibodies is enhanced by the careful selection of fluorophores, which determine the sensitivity and resolution of the assay. Regular validation of antibodies for flow cytometry use is crucial to ensure reproducibility and accuracy in experimental results, making them indispensable in both clinical diagnostics and research settings.