What is FACS analysis?

[Anya Solo]

Reading in biology, we see a lot of abbreviations that are not easy for the non-specialized or any one new in the field.

One of these is FACS analysis. So, my question is what is FACS analysis and what is it used for?

[A. Hammouda]

Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) is a specialized type of flow cytometry. It provides a method for sorting a heterogeneous mixture of cells into two or more containers, one cell at a time, based on the specific fluorescent characteristics of each cell.

As in ordinary flow cytometry, the cells are passed in a narrow stream of fluid and subjected to a laser beam, one at a time. The stream is then divided into droplets, each containing one cell. The cells are pretreated with fluorescence-tagged antibodies against specific cell surface antigens. A cell with the specific surface antigen will give a specific fluorescence. Once the fluorescence is detected, a charger will give the droplet a positive or a negative charge. The charged droplets are deflected in an electric field towards a specific container. Thus the heterogeneous cell mixture is separated into two or more containers according to the cell surface antigen type.

This technique is useful for research in the fields of cell biology and oncology.

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