Flow cytometry is a powerful tool that uses lasers to examine cells
in a fluid. Cells are tagged with special fluorescent markers that
attach to specific parts of the cells. As these cells pass through the
laser beam, they light up and scatter light in different ways. This
information is collected by the machine and used to identify and
count different types of cells in the sample. Doctors and scientists
use flow cytometry to diagnose diseases, such as blood cancers,
and to monitor the immune system’s health. It also helps in
research by sorting and studying specific cell types in more detail
Diagnosing Diseases: It helps diagnose conditions like blood
cancers by identifying abnormal cells.
Monitoring Health: It checks how well the immune system is
working, especially in patients with immune disorders.
Research: Scientists use it to understand how the immune system
works and to develop new treatments for diseases.
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a modern technology that
allows scientists to read and decode the DNA and RNA of
organisms quickly and accurately. Think of it as a super-fast,
high-tech way to understand the genetic instructions inside our
bodies and other living things. By breaking down DNA or RNA into
tiny pieces and then reading these pieces, NGS helps us see the
complete genetic blueprint of an organism.
This technology is incredibly useful for many things. It helps
doctors understand genetic disorders, find mutations that cause
diseases, and even track how our immune system responds to
infections. Researchers use NGS to discover new genes, study how
genes are turned on and off, and understand the relationships
between different species. It's a powerful tool that is
transforming medicine, biology, and many other fields by
giving us a detailed view of the genetic information that
makes up all living things
Confocal microscopy is an advanced imaging technique that
allows scientists to take clear, detailed pictures of cells and
tissues. It uses lasers to scan samples point by point, creating
sharp images by focusing on specific layers. This helps
eliminate blurry background information and provides a
precise, high-resolution view of the structures within a
sample. It's like using a fine-tuned camera to zoom in and
capture crisp pictures of tiny biological details.
Two-photon microscopy is another sophisticated imaging
method that goes even deeper into tissues than confocal
microscopy. It uses two photons of lower energy light to
excite fluorescent markers in samples, allowing scientists to
see detailed images deep within living tissues. This technique
is especially useful for studying complex structures in live
organisms, like brain cells in action, without causing much
damage. Think of it as a special flashlight that lets
researchers peek inside and explore the hidden inner
workings of living things with minimal disturbance.