Light scatter properties are not a good denominator for either total cell
count or viability. Inclusion of a vital dye e.g. 7-AAD will allow detection
of dead cells but will not help with the debris problem. If the cells are
CD45 positive it would make sense to gate on CD45 positive events and
then look at 7-AAD staining only on those events. Feel free to contact me
directly if you wish to explore this further.
Mike Keeney
London Health Science Centre
Ontario Canada
Mike.Keeney@LHSC.on.ca