Flow Cytometry, The Sorting of Cells

Chapter Nine (“The Sorting of Cells”) explains the theory of flow sorting, with enclosure of cells in drops generated by a vibrating stream and subsequent charging and deflection of drops containing desired cells. The relationship of stream velocity and diameter to the frequency of drop generation is discussed and the benefit of faster drop generation (in high speed sorting) on the speed and efficiency of sorting is emphasized. Alternative methods for sorting are presented, including magnetic bead separation and optical zapping. The chapter ends with a discussion of the characterization of cells after sorting, according to the purity, the sterility, the function, and the viability of the sorted cells.
10.1002/0471223948.ch9