Abstract:

Filter optics at times are taken for granted even with new instruments. Their band selective qualities are most important for accurate flow cytometry data and proper experiment conclusions. Uncertainty in filter optic performance should be eliminated so investigator focus can be on the biology of the experiment rather than the questioning the instrument error contributions. The filters should also be the best appropriate filter set for a given fluorochrome. It will be shown how a relatively low cost spectrometer can be used and simply modified to quantify filter optics of our department’s bench flow cytometers and sorters.  

Introduction:

 Our purpose is to profile the optics of all our flow cytometer instruments used for research and clinical studies. This was performed by using an affordable commercial spectrometer with the ability to generate selectable spectral swept responses from 190nm to 1100nm. The light source is generated by two lamps inside the Jasco V-530. A 190 to 350nm (UV region) by a deuterium lamp and 340 to 1100nm by a halogen lamp (VIS/NIR region) are used. The output data can then be presented in a hard copy  report form and kept on hand at the flow cytometer for reference.

The following link is to a Power Point viewer file (PPS) representing this poster submitted at GLIIFCA 2005.

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A modified Spectrometer