AdiCell™ and flow cytometry

During an AdiCell treatment we use a process called flow cytometry to analyse and control the quality of cells. With flow cytometry, we analyse a small sample of the cells. The process ensures the following:

• Cells are viable
• Cells are present in the correct numbers
• Cells are of the right type

How flow cytometry works

The flow cytometer allows rapid analysis of thousands of cells per second. Fluid transports cells through a narrow area. This is an excitation zone, illuminated by a laser beam.

Highly sensitive detectors measure light emissions as cells pass through the laser beam. The measurements from the flow cytometer tell us about cell size and cell functions. As we can analyse large numbers of cells rapidly, the process gives us accurate statistical data.

We use fluorescent stains and monoclonal antibodies

We add fluorescent stains to the sample of cells prior to flow cytometer analysis. These stains tell us whether cells in the sample are viable. The flow cytometer determines the proportions of stained cells.

• Green fluorescent stain – green cells are healthy and viable
• Red fluorescent stain – red cells are dead.

Antibodies identify different types of cells

We also react the AdiCell sample with monoclonal antibodies. The antibodies we use are specific to various molecules found on the cells’ surface.  

We tag, or stain the monoclonal antibodies with green and red fluorescent dyes. The flow cytometer determines the number of cells by detecting each type of molecule present on the cells’ surface and counting them. This tells us what types of cells are present in the sample, such as endothelial cells, stem cells and others.

Internal controls for determining cell numbers

As an internal control, a small freeze dried pellet containing a precise number of fluorescent beads determines the volume of the sample analysed. It allows our scientists to calculate the cell number per millilitre.