"Applications of Flow Cytometry in Microbiology"

Abstract

Flow Cytometry is a technology that allows the counting and characterization of molecules and cells that are found in a suspension. It allows the analysis of multiple parameters at once and defines the physical and chemical characteristics of single cells that flow through an optical analysis and digital detection device.A great advantage of flow cytometry is the precise and rapid cell counting, which has ample use in Microbiology, especially when it is combined with other tests like fluorescent staining and immunocytometry, providing us with exact details about the number of living and/or dead microbes, their metabolism, their response to stress and more information about their cell cycle. The most important fact though is that it allows precise gauging of bacterial cell viability, which substantiate the answers on one of the greatest questions of Microbiology. There are applications that appertain to food safety, drinking water viability through online flow cytometry fingerprinting, sewage processing and general protection of the environment. Finally, it’s worth noting that with the use of flow virometry it is possible to identify viruses in the environment, so that in the event of future pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), it can be a useful tool.

RARRAS Nikolaos