Flow cytometry is increasingly utilized as primary tool for the diagnosis of hematopoietic neoplasia in a clinical laboratory setting. The use of increased numbers of simultaneous fluorochromes offers the following potential advantages: increased accuracy of population identification, the ability to make better use of small specimens where cell number is a limiting factor, the processing of fewer tubes with the consequent reduction in reagents, technologist time and instrument time, the more efficient analysis of large numbers of cells which is important for the detection of small cell populations, and ultimately improved standardization. Brent Wood, associate professor of the hematology division in the department of laboratory medicine at the University of Washington discusses practical issues surrounding the implementation of high-level multicolor flow cytometry in a clinical laboratory setting and illustration of the power of the technology.
Dr. Brent Wood