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Flow cytometric techniques for the detection of microorganisms

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Advanced Flow Cytometry: Applications in Biological Research

Abstract

Flow cytometry (FCM) is a technique, which allows one to analyse cells rapidly and individually, and permits the quantitative analysis of distributions of a property or properties in a population. It therefore offers many advantages over conventional measurements for the analysis of biological cells. Historically the technique has been widely applied for the study of mammalian cells, but its use in microbiology has been more limited; this is mainly a consequence of the smaller size of microbes, which results in the smaller optical signals that can be obtained from them. Developments in light sources and optics, together with brighter, spectrally-diverse dyes have reduced this barrier over recent years and the flow cytometer is now an essential tool in many microbiological research establishments. FCM has an increasing role to play in the detection of microbes in both industrial and clinical settings. Environmental monitoring to prevent outbreaks of human diseases such as cryptosporidiosis and Legionnaires’ disease and to detect acts of biowarfare or bioterrorism are all amenable to flow cytometric study. This review seeks to highlight the role of the flow cytometer in the detection of microbial cells.

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Abbreviations

FACS:

Fluorescence-activated cell sorting

FCM:

Flow cytometry

FITC:

Fluorescein isothiocyanate

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, SY23 3DD, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, UK

    Hazel M. Davey

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  1. Hazel M. Davey
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Correspondence to Hazel M. Davey .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bio-Technology, Panjab University, 160014, Chandigarh, India

    R. C. Sobti

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami Medical School, 33101, Miami, FL, USA

    Awtar Krishan

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© 2003 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Davey, H.M. (2003). Flow cytometric techniques for the detection of microorganisms. In: Sobti, R.C., Krishan, A. (eds) Advanced Flow Cytometry: Applications in Biological Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0623-0_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0623-0_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-6368-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-0623-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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