Sony to develop 'spectral' cytometry instrument

Sony (San Diego, CA) is developing a ‘Spectral’ cell analyzer, its second flow cytometry instrument for optical analysis of cells to date. The system relies on a ‘spectral’ cytometry method to detect full-spectrum fluorescent emissions in highly complex analysis, such as in immunology, oncology, and regenerative medicine, applying optical measurements to analyze and sort various kinds of cells based on their size, number, exterior surface, and interior content.

Sony’s prism array, coupled with a 32-channel photomultiplier tube, divides fluorescence emissions of all fluorophores to detect full-spectrum fluorescent emissions in complex cell analysis. (Image courtesy of Sony)

The company's method to measure the full spectrum of fluorescence divides the fluorescence emissions of all the fluorophores using a proprietary prism array with a newly developed, 32-channel photomultiplier tube. So, the method enables analysis of spectral emissions from overlapped fluorophores by dividing them into individual fluorophore emissions with the company's independently developed analysis algorithm. Their approach eliminates the need for spectral compensation and expands the total number of fluorophores that can be analyzed simultaneously.

Also, the method can detect the weak intrinsic fluorescence from unstained cells (autofluorescence) with a high degree of accuracy, revealing the detailed shape of its entire waveform.

Sony will exhibit its prototype at the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC; Leipzig, Germany) from June 23–27.

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