Intelligent laser module makes desktop cell meter more flexible

Through the use of replaceable lasers, a new generation of desktop flow cytometry (e.g the novocyte of Essen biology Gamma Flow cytometry (FCM) has excellent performance and customizable function, thus giving birth to a kind of cost-effective cell analysis platform: Essen Biology (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd is ACEA Biosciences Co., Ltd Author: Matthias Schulze, related company The powerful function of flow cytometry flow cytometry is a laser based technology that is specialized in cell analysis (and sometimes cell separation) First, the cells were treated with fluorescent antibodies combined with specific cell types, and then the prepared cells were arranged in a single row and passed through a focused laser beam The detected fluorescent markers can show the number and type of various cells in the sample Flow cytometry is usually equipped with multiple lasers and can use many photodetectors with different wavelength channels or scattering angles Therefore, cell samples can be analyzed according to multiple parameters at the same time The development of desktop cell analyzer Market flow cytometry is a powerful research tool (for example, for microbiological research), and it is also a widely used clinical tool in the field of rapid blood cell analysis (for example, for monitoring CD4 cells in HIV infected patients) Moreover, with the development of new therapeutic methods (such as stem cell therapy), the differences between clinical and research measurement of new flow cytometry applications are becoming smaller and smaller This has led to the development of a new generation of desktop instruments, which are smaller and more affordable than the traditional floor mounted large instruments that can only be used for research Customized performance is a cost-effective performance Essen bio is a rising company in the desktop instrument market, with a rapid development momentum Rene Nunez, the company's senior product manager, believes that being able to combine outstanding performance, function, speed and economic benefits is very important for the desktop instrument market "Almost every one of our users needs high-performance instruments that can compete with traditional large platforms in terms of sensitivity, data fidelity and capacity," he explained However, the investment cost of large-scale platform is quite high, and it usually lacks some functions required by users in research Each application requires a unique set of functions that provide different laser wavelengths and the number of detection channels The customer may need to configure the instrument properly, conduct the most subtle tests, have the ability of automatic sample processing, and provide the option of upgrading in the future In this market, flexibility and economy are key factors "Figure 1 Flow cytometry uses a focused laser to fluoresce the labeled cell count The signal comes from the fluorescent marker (fluorescent dye) combined with the target protein and other cell surface markers Figure 2 The desktop novocyte of Essen bio can be customized in the factory or configured in the field due to its modular design, including the intelligent plug and play OBIS laser module figure 3 provided by related companies OBIS intelligent laser module provides plug and play function and unified shape, covering a wide range of wavelength spectrum intelligent plug and play laser module In order to meet the market demand, ACEA company launched a new series of novocyte desktop cell meter, which adopts high-level internal modular design "This is a very flexible platform We can only provide the specific laser wavelength required by each customer, as well as the option to change or upgrade functions by adding module components in the future, and it can be realized without returning to the factory "Nunez explained," as we all know, flow cytometry requires a high degree of accuracy, and it is difficult for lasers to achieve calibration and beam combining at such a level of accuracy However, we have adopted the OBIS intelligent laser module of coherent company, which has perfectly overcome this challenge in novocyte series Specifically, these plug and play independent intelligent modules have consistent mechanical registration and docking performance Each OBIS module provides the same beam shape, size, and direction, making it easier to replace or add lasers "Suppliers need to be flexible and agile, and be able to provide a modular, customizable and easily replaceable platform to better support the desktop cell meter market