Flow Cytometry Core Facility

Decades of Flow Cytometry Innovation and Research

Los Alamos scientists use flow cytometry for a wide range of research, from biothreat characterization to biomanufacturing

Flow cytometry is a powerful tool for high-throughput, multi-dimensional analysis of small particles. First developed in the 1960s, Los Alamos has been key in advancing the technology, and flow cytometers are now used ubiquitously across research fields, with an emphasis in biomedicine. From its conception to commercial adoption, Los Alamos National Laboratory has remained a leader in both flow cytometry instrument development and new biological research approaches. Today, Los Alamos scientists use this powerful tool for a wide range of research, from biothreat characterization to therapeutics development to biomanufacturing.

Technology Applications

Flow cytometry is currently used across Los Alamos divisions for a variety of applications, including:

• Screening genetic libraries in yeast and bacteria to select cells with high levels of expression or product accumulation, including antibodies, fuel, or chemical precursors

• Monitoring microalgae growth, health, and lipid accumulation

• Understanding microbial population dynamics in a variety of bioreactor systems

• Profiling immune response

• Analyzing extracellular vesicles and small particles

• Analyzing microbial colonies and co-cultures within gel microdroplets

• Monitoring environmental samples for the presence and phenotype of biological particles

Key advantages of flow cytometry

The Flow Cytometry Core Facility comprises instrumentation with a variety of analytical and sorting capabilities

• Multiparameter phenotyping:
  • Scatter (relative size and particle complexity)
  • Particle counts (absolute concentrations)
  • Fluorescence intensity (intrinsic or labeled)
  • Simultaneous collection of multiple selected populations, or single cells
• High throughput: Analysis and sorting of up to 50,000 events/second
• Large scale data generation for AI
• Target breadth: Particle size range of ~0.2 to 70 μm (range includes chromosomes to aggregated cell colonies)