The Technological Evolution of Flow Cytometry

The evolution thread is to continuously enrich the information dimensions of single-cell analysis and reduce the cost of acquiring high-quality data, all under the premise of high throughput.

For over half a century, flow cytometry has served as the cornerstone of high-throughput, multi-parameter cell analysis, profoundly shaping the core ways in which humanity understands cells. It has continuously led single-cell analysis toward higher dimensions, powerfully advancing the fields of life sciences, healthcare, biomanufacturing, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and environmental protection.

Facing the AI era, flow cytometry is taking on a new, irreplaceable historical mission.
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Spectral Imaging The Fourth Information Dimension Breakthrough in Flow Cytometry

Driven by continuous application demands, flow cytometry technology has undergone three key information dimension revolutions: Traditional Flow, Spectral Flow, and Imaging Flow.

01
Breakthrough

Traditional Flow

Established the technical framework for high-throughput, multi-parameter cell analysis and serves as the foundation for all flow technologies, but its detection information is the spatially integrated signal of the entire cell.

02
Breakthrough

Spectral Flow

By fully acquiring and parsing fluorescence spectra, elevates parallel molecular detection capability to dozens of molecules, but is similarly limited to spatially integrated signal detection of an entire cell.

03
Breakthrough

Imaging Flow

Fuses the high-throughput advantage of flow with the high-resolution imaging capability of fluorescence microscopy, achieving single-cell label-free imaging, high-sensitivity specific fluorescence imaging, and multi-parameter analysis at high speed.

04
Breakthrough

Spectral Imaging

From an information dimension perspective, imaging flow lacks high-dimensional molecular information, and spectral flow lacks imaging information.

Therefore, spectral imaging flow cytometry that combines the advantages of both is the next commanding height in flow cytometry technology development.

Comparison of Four Generations of Flow Cytometer Technology

Flow Cytometry Technology Evolution Four-Quadrant Chart
Phase I

Traditional Flow

Core Advantages

High throughput, accurate quantification, mature technology

Typical Applications
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Cell cycle
  • Apoptosis detection
  • Cell function analysis and routine testing
Phase II

Spectral Flow

Core Advantages

High-dimensional molecular analysis, complex spectral resolution, high sensitivity

Typical Applications
  • Deep immunophenotyping
  • Weak expression detection
  • Autofluorescence removal
  • Nanoparticle/Small Particle Analysis
Phase III

Imaging Flow

Core Advantages

Seeing is believing, bridging flow and microscopy platforms, strong statistical capability

Typical Applications
  • Cell-cell interactions
  • Subcellular localization
  • Morphological classification
  • Image Sorting, FISH, Rare Events, Imaging Hematology Analyzer
Now
Phase IV

Spectral Imaging Flow

Core Advantages

High-Dimensional Fusion of Molecular and Morphological Information

Typical Applications
  • Compatible with all above scenarios, more flexible usage
  • Suitable for life science research and clinical translation
  • AI research and biological design tool development
Phase I

Traditional Flow

Core Advantages

High throughput, accurate quantification, mature technology

Typical Applications
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Cell cycle
  • Apoptosis detection
  • Cell function analysis and routine testing
1960s–2000s
Phase II

Spectral Flow

Core Advantages

High-dimensional molecular analysis, complex spectral resolution, high sensitivity

Typical Applications
  • Deep immunophenotyping
  • Weak expression detection
  • Autofluorescence removal
  • Nanoparticle/small particle analysis
2010s
Phase III

Imaging Flow

Core Advantages

Seeing is believing, bridging flow and microscopy platforms, strong statistical capability

Typical Applications
  • Cell-cell interactions
  • Subcellular localization
  • Morphological classification
  • Image sorting, FISH, rare events, imaging hematology analyzer
2010s–now
Now
Phase IV

Spectral Imaging Flow

Core Advantages

High-dimensional fusion of molecular and morphological information

Typical Applications
  • Compatible with all above scenarios, more flexible usage
  • Suitable for life science research and clinical translation
  • AI research and biological design tool development
Fairy SI-5

From intensity detection to spectral and spatial resolution to the deep fusion of both—we are gradually unveiling the mysteries of the cell, achieving more efficient and comprehensive understanding of cells.