Possibilities of flow cytometry in analysis of cellular response to genotoxic stress

Possibilities of flow cytometry in analysis of cellular response to genotoxic stress Flow cytometry is a modern tool for interrogating the immunophenotype and functional characteristics of cells. It is a technique of quantitative single cell analysis that works by sensing optical properties of cells in a flow stream with laser beam. Analysis and differentiation of the cells is based on size, granularity, and whether the cell is carrying fluorescent molecules in the form of either conjugated antibodies or dyes. The cells may be stained with fluorescent dyes, incubated with fluorogenic substrate or labelled with fluorochrome-linked antibodies specific for molecules either on the surface or in the intracellular components of the cell. Flow cytometers are multiparameter, recording several measurements on each cell. Therefore, it is possible to identify a homogeneous subpopulation within a heterogeneous population of cells. When cells are exposed to genotoxic agent, they respond quantitatively and qualitatively according to the absorbed dose and the cell type. To cope with the resulting damage to cellular DNA, the temporary cell-cycle checkpoints and DNA damage response mechanisms are activated to allow more time for effective repair. However, if these mechanisms fail or the damage is irreparable, then..