infocus #23 September 2011 The use of DAPI in multiple flow cytometry applications

Ian Dimmick explains how flow cytometry enables us to study the phenotype, genotype and cytoplasmic constituents of cells and bacteria.

DOI: 10.22443/rms.inf.1.75

Flow cytometry can be defined as a semi-automated procedure for the interrogation of single cells in a continuous fluid stream enabling the derivation of simultaneous measurements of multiple extra and intra cellular characteristics. The objective of flow cytometry is very simple; to measure, by quantitation of photon release, constituents of the membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus of a particular cell or group of cells.

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Author

Ian Dimmick

Flow Cytometry Core Facility Manager, Newcastle University, UK

Ian Dimmick began his career in a clinical setting within the health service, focusing primarily on practical laboratory haematology and immunology, before progressing to lecture on both subjects within Newcastle and Northumbria Universities. The role of flow cytometry in routine leukaemia, lymphoma diagnosis and HIV monitoring has became very important. The diversity of this very powerful tool for both clinical and research applications led Ian to develop an interest in flow cytometry and this afforded the opportunity to join Beckman Coulter, Dako and Becton Dickinson as a flow cytometry application specialist, where he tracked and developed the rapidly moving changes within this science. Later, Ian returned to Newcastle University as manager of a busy flow cytometry core facility, where he has since faced many unique challenges; the assay of stem cells, multiplex assays and polychromatic flow cytometry being just a few.