Quality Control

Alignment tests and quality control measurements should be performed prior to each measurement! A flow cytometer is a very complicated device which reacts very sensitively to small changes:

• Changes in Sheath pressure
• Bacterial contamination
• Dirt or air bubbles in the flow cell
• Leaky tubing leading to pressure loss

To assure that your measurements are accurate, you have to perform QC tests for the light sources you use. These tests are done by measurinf fluorescent beads:

• 488 nm: Rainbow beads (Partec)
• 635 nm: Red laser beads
• UV lamp: UV beads (BD)