These examples are but a few of the functional assays now available in linking cell biology with flow cytometry. The major advantage flow cytometry offers is the ability to identify single cell fluorescence so that heterogeneic populations can be identified with statistical accuracy. Flow cytometry should be considered a viable alternative approach when cells are available in suspension (or can be removed from tissue or cell cultures appropriately), when one needs to understand a functional component of the cell, an appropriate fluorescent probe is available, heterogeneity may exist requiring “electronic” separation of cells (e.g. blood) and of course, you have a flow cytometer available!
