Seeing Flow Cytometry In A Whole New Light

Combining flexibility, ease of use and sensitivity in one affordable platform, Cytek’s Biosciences Inc.’s Northern Lights flow cytometer promises to bring cell analysis within the reach of many.

AsianScientist (Sep. 17, 2020) – Invented nearly seventy years ago, flow cytometers have gone on to become an indispensable tool for cell analysis. By capitalizing upon the characteristic wavelengths produced by fluorescently-labeled cells as they pass through the cytometer’s laser, researchers are able to profile millions of cells at the same time.

Last September, Cytek Biosciences Inc.—a leading provider of flow cytometry instrumentation—announced a world first. From just a single tube, their Cytek® Aurora flow cytometer platform managed to simultaneously analyze 40 different fluorescent markers, a remarkable feat given that conventional flow cytometers have historically only been able to resolve a maximum of 20 markers.

It’s a considerable boon for researchers and clinicians across the globe, who now have the ability to extract even more cellular information from one sample. With the rollout of their Northern Lights series, Cytek is set to revolutionize flow cytometry once again—this time, by making flow cytometry more accessible to laboratories, clinics and hospitals worldwide.


Achieving more with less

Available in one, two and three-laser configurations, the Cytek® Northern Lights platform allows scientists to run highly complex, high-throughput multicolor experiments at an affordable price. Its one-laser configuration alone is capable of detecting nine fluorescent colors, while upgrading to the two and three-laser configuration enables the detection of up to 21 and 24 colors respectively.

By equipping fewer lasers with the ability to run more colors, the Northern Lights platform is a low-maintenance, yet powerful option for scientists who wish to save costs without compromising scientific rigor. Its state-of-the-art optics system can also clearly resolve overlapping emission signatures, allowing the platform to offer greater flexibility when choosing fluorescent proteins. In fact, any commercially available fluorochrome should do the trick.

As further proof of the Northern Lights’ ease of use, its sole optical filter configuration is suitable for all applications, saving precious time when setting up the experiment and minimizing chances of experimental error. The platform’s SpectroFlo® Software also provides an intuitive and simple interface for all steps in the workflow, ranging from quality control to data analysis.


Bringing flow cytometry to light

Given its high sensitivity and resolution at a significantly lower price, the Northern Lights platform has already been approved by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for clinical diagnostic use across the country.

“Cytek’s full spectrum flow cytometry breaks many limitations of conventional flow,” enthused Dr Yanrong Liu, Director of the Hematology Laboratory at Peking University’s Institute of Hematology. “It greatly increases the selection range of fluorochromes, simplifies the detection steps, and maximizes the use of antibodies, saving time and effort for subsequent detection, as well as saving cost and improving work efficiency.”

The Northern Lights platform has received European CE marking for in vitro diagnostic devices (CE-IVD). Beyond these territories, Cytek’s other products like the Aurora have made their mark all over the world. To date, the instruments have been sold in over 20 countries across five continents.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Cytek’s cytometers have never been more useful. After all, in clinical research settings, flow cytometry is commonly used to assess the immune status of patients by giving insights into the levels of white blood cells. Likewise, Cytek’s platforms are now being applied in over a dozen hospitals, medical schools and academic laboratories in Europe, the US and China to better understand the impact of the coronavirus on the immune systems of patients.

With its flexibility, ease of use and exceptional resolution at an unbeatable price, the Cytek® Northern Lights platform is a must-have for laboratories worldwide. For more information, please visit: https://cytekbio.com/pages/northern-lights


Asian Scientist Magazine is a media partner of Cytek Biosciences Inc.

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Copyright: Asian Scientist Magazine; Photo: Cytek Biosciences Inc.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

Asian Scientist Magazine is an award-winning science and technology magazine that highlights R&D news stories from Asia to a global audience. The magazine is published by Singapore-headquartered Wildtype Media Group.

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