Flow Cytometry Products

Our flow cytometry product suite includes products to check general instrument status, optics alignment, sensitivity, and linearity.

APPLICATION
PRODUCT

Daily QC – Multi-color Fluor. Ref. Std
Full Spectrum™ microspheres

Full Spectrum™
Provide a convenient means for performing the initial daily QC check on 3-6 color instruments. These ~7-9µm microspheres are internally labeled with multiple fluorophores for use with common excitation and detection wavelengths within the visible spectrum

Optical system specific path QC (laser/filter/PMT)               
Single-color Fluorescence Reference Standards

Single-color Fluorescence Reference Standards
Are labeled with specific fluorochromes to exhibit the same spectral characteristics as labeled cells. Their size approximates that of human lymphocytes (~7-9µm in diameter) and are available in a wide variety of fluorescent dyes. These standards may be used to QC a specific path of the optical system (laser/filter/PMT), to optimize filter and mirror sets for fluorophores, and to establish a test-specific Target Channel Value for instrument set-up.

Alignment purposes                       
Right Reference Standard™ microspheres

Right Reference Standard™ microspheres
Consists of a population of microspheres surface labeled with a single fluorochrome at a given intensity level (low, medium, high). They approximate the size of human lymphocytes (~7-9µm). With their narrow fluorescence CVs, Right Reference Standard™ products are suitable for alignment purposes. These standards may also be used to QC a specific path of the optical system (laser/filter/PMT), and to establish a unified fluorescence range for a particular detector.

General QC  for 3-9 color instruments     
Ultra Rainbow Fluorescent Particles

Ultra Rainbow Fluorescent Particles
(by Spherotech™) are internally labeled with multiple fluorophores, enabling excitation at any wavelength from 365-650nm. Ultra Rainbow Fluorescent Particles may be used for general QC purposes for 3-9 color instruments

Establishment of the Window of Analysis                
QC Windows®kits

QC Windows®kits
For instrument set-up include a blank and one or more bead population(s) surface-labeled with fluorochromes. The kits allow the establishment of upper and lower fluorescence thresholds, the Window of Analysis, for each detector, permitting meaningful data comparison between instruments and over time. These microspheres are ~7-9µm in diameter and approximate the size of human lymphocytes

Defining an upper fluorescence threshold for each detector             
QC3™ kits

QC3™ kits
Include one or more bead population(s) surface-labeled with fluorochromes for defining an upper fluorescence threshold for each detector, permitting meaningful comparion between instruments and over time. These microspheres are ~7-9µm in diameter and approximate the size of human lymphocytes

Establishing quadrant boundaries and compensation settings                               
FITC/PE Compensation Standard

FITC/PE Compensation Standard
Includes four microsphere populations that are ~7-9µm in diameter: an Autofluor™ population, and single populations surface-labeled with FITC, PE, and FITC/PE. The Autofluor™ population is dyed with a low level of fluorophore to approximate the autofluorescence of an unstained resting lymphocyte. This kit is useful for establishing quadrant boundaries and compensation settings for analyses using FITC and PE fluorochromes.

Establish suitable compensation settings                               
Simply Cellular®Compensation Standard

Simply Cellular®Compensation Standard
Includes a mixed population of low- and high-binding antibody-coated beads that are ~7-9µm in diameter. Users label aliquots with antibody conjugates of interest to establish suitable compensation settings for a specific analysis

Compensation settings 
Viability Dye Compensation Standards

Viability Dye Compensation Standards
Are suitable for labeling with LIVE/DEAD®stains or similarly-reactive dyes to generate compensation standards for flow cytometric analyses. Beads are not suitable for labeling with DNA stains such as propidium iodide, DAPI, or SYTOX®, and users should contact us for discussion if uncertain as to the compatability of a specific dye or stain.

Single-population reference standards                  
Flow Cytometry Protein A Antibody Binding Beads

Flow Cytometry Protein A Antibody Binding Beads
Are Single population Protein A or Protein G microspheres. They are suitable for labeling with conjugated antibodies from a range of hosts. Labeled microspheres may be used as single-population reference standards or in conjunction with an unlabeled population for compensation purposes.

Assess the detection threshold/resolution/linearity of the instrument                  
Quantum™ MESF kits

Quantum™ MESF kits
Include microsphere populations that are ~7-9µm in diameter: one blank population and a range of labeled bead populations with increasing amounts of fluorochrome. The assignment of fluorescence intensity in Molecules of Soluble Fluorochrome (MESF) units is performed through direct comparison of fluorescence measurements from solutions of the pure fluorochrome with those from microspheres surface-labeled with the same fluorochrome. In addition to quantitative fluorescence cytometry, Quantum™ MESF kits may be used to assess the detection threshold, resolution, and linearity of the instrument. A free QuickCal®analysis template is provided with each kit to aid in determining the expression level of cells, and for evaluating instrument linearity and detection threshold
For additional information regarding our Quantum™ MESF products, please see PDS 818, Quantum™ Simply Cellular®& Quantum™ MESF Tips and Techniques. For details regarding QuickCal®templates, please see PDS 819, QuickCal®v. 2.3 Data Analysis Program.

Compensation settings, linearity, detection threshold                              
Quantum™ Simply Cellular®(QSC) kits

Quantum™ Simply Cellular®(QSC) kits
Are comprised of five microsphere populationsthat are ~7-9µm in diameter: one blank and four labeled with increasing amounts of antibody. Each coated population binds a specific number of monoclonal antibodies of the noted species, which is equal to its Antibody Binding Capacity (ABC) value. The investigator labels QSC beads using the same antibodies used to stain cells. In addition to quantitative fluorescence cytometry, QSC kits may be used for compensation. A free QuickCal®analysis template is provided with each kit to aid in determining the expression level of cells, and for evaluating instrument linearity and detection threshold.
For additional information regarding our Quantum™ Simply Cellular®products, please see PDS 818, Quantum™ Simply Cellular®& Quantum™ MESF Tips and Techniques. For details regarding QuickCal®templates, please see PDS 819, QuickCal®v. 2.3 Data Analysis Program.

Fluorescence intensity QC of different antibody lots or clones                            
Simply Cellular®standard

Simply Cellular®standard
Consists of a single population of antibody-coated microspheres (~7-9µm in diameter) of known Antibody Binding Capacity (ABC). The population is stained with the user’s primary antibody and used in conjunction with a suitable Quantum™ MESF kit for determination of the antibody’s effective Fluorophore:Protein (F/P) ratio. This standard may also be used to QC the fluorescence intensity of different antibody lots or clones.

Assessing the delay between blue and red lasers                              
Time Delay Calibration Standard

Time Delay Calibration Standard
Is intended for use in assessing the delay between blue and red lasers. It features ~6µm microspheres dyed with a fluorophore that is excited with 488nm or 635nm excitation, and exhibits red/far-red emission

Cell Size Calibration                      
Size Calibration Standards Kit

Size Calibration Standards Kit
Is comprised of five populations of undyed microspheres in the range of ~4-12µm. Forward scatter channel (FSC) values may be plotted against reported bead diameter to generate a curve that may be used for estimation of the sizes of cells run at the same instrument settings

Verify the resolution capabilities of the flow cytometer                         
Submicron and Micron Beads Calibration Kit

Submicron and Micron Beads Calibration Kit
Current applications in flow cytometry extend far beyond traditional lymphocyte immunophenotyping, with some involving the analysis of very small particles such as platelet- and endothelial-derived microparticles or microbial species. The Small Bead Calibration Kits allow operators to verify the resolution capabilities of the flow cytometer, and to establish appropriate instrument settings for the analyses.

Design of multiplexed suspension arrays                                
QuantumPlex™ kits
QuantumPlex™M (Magnetic) kits

QuantumPlex™ kits
Provide a platform for the design of multiplexed suspension arrays that may be run on standard flow cytometers (488nm or 633nm excitation). Microsphere populations in five-bead kits are encoded with different intensities of Starfire Red™, and microspheres in our ten-bead kits are distinguished by both fluorescence intensity and size. Starfire Red™ exhibits very little carryover into lower wavelengths, leaving other detectors available for determination of positive binding events via common reporters, such as FITC and PE. Carboxyl (COOH), streptavidin, and anti-Mouse IgG surfaces are available. Carboxyl populations are at a concentration of ~1×108 beads/mL, while Streptavidin and anti-Mouse IgG populations are at a concentration of ~1×106 beads/mL.

QuantumPlex™M (Magnetic) kits
Consist of five populations of ~6µm highly uniform superparamagnetic microspheres encoded with different intensities of Starfire Red™. Like QuantumPlex™, they are suitable for use on standard flow cytometers. Highly efficient separations may be performed using rare earth magnetic separators. Carboxyl (COOH) and streptavidin surfaces are available. Carboxyl populations are at a concentration of ~1×108 beads/mL, while Streptavidin populations are at a concentration of ~1×106 beads/mL.

Development of simplex flow cytometric assays                              
QuantumPlex™ SP (Single Population)
QuantumPlex™M SP (Magnetic, Single Population

QuantumPlex™ SP (Single Population)
Is useful for the development of simplex flow cytometric assays, or for the optimization of attachment chemistry and assay parameters before transitioning to a multiplexed format. Like QuantumPlex™, they are dyed with Starfire Red™ and are suitable for use on standard flow cytometers. Carboxyl (COOH), streptavidin, and anti-Mouse IgG surfaces are available. Carboxyl populations are at a concentration of ~1×108 beads/mL, while Streptavidin and anti-Mouse IgG populations are at a concentration of ~1×106 beads/ml

QuantumPlex™M SP (Magnetic, Single Population)
Is useful for the development of simplex flow cytometric assays, or for the optimization of attachment chemistry and assay parameters before transitioning to a multiplexed format. Like QuantumPlex™M, they are ~6µm highly uniform superparamagnetic microspheres dyed with Starfire Red™ and are suitable for use on standard flow cytometers. Carboxyl (COOH) and streptavidin surfaces are available. Carboxyl populations are at a concentration of ~1×108 beads/mL, while Streptavidin and anti-Mouse IgG populations are at a concentration of ~1×106 beads/ml

Data Analysis
QuickCal®

QuickCal®
Constructs a calibration curve associating fluorescence channel values to standardized fluorescence intensity units. The channel value corresponding to the kit’s blank bead is converted to the appropriate standardized fluorescence intensity unit (MESF or ABC); this will be the instrument’s detection threshold for the specific reporter and detector. For instructions regarding QuickCal, please see Product Data Sheet 819, QuickCal®v. 2.3 Data Analysis Program.