Flow cytometry in combination with microspheres (beads) in a suspension have gained increasing interest by the research community. Various types of such beads are commercially available or self‐prepared by researchers, differing in size or the fluorophores that they contain, producing different sets of beads. They also contain functional groups that enable their conjugation with specific biomolecules, mainly oligonucleotides, antibodies, protein and other molecules. Recognition reactions of several analytes, such as immunoassays or hybridisation assays, take place on the surface of the beads, while a reporter fluorophore is used for the detection of the interaction between the recognition molecules and the analyte. The characterisation and classification of beads in different groups, as well as the detection of the fluorescence emitted from the reporter molecules is accomplished by a flow cytometer, as the beads pass one by one in front of one or two laser beams.
Key Concepts
Flow cytometry is applied for the detection of various analytes.
Flow cytometry offers high multiplexing potential and a high‐throughput format.
There are available up to 500 different sets of distinct beads.
Beads can be distinguished by their size, their shape or the fluorophores that they contain.
Beads carry on their surface several functional groups that allow easy coupling to recognition molecules such as oligonucleotides, proteins and biomolecules.
The panel of analytes can be easily changed, offering a great flexibility of bead‐based systems.