On flow sorting of large particles: Let me throw in my two cents worth as well. There is some data and discussion of sorting efficiency for large microspheres (44 an 88 micrometers diameter) and various sizes of multicellular spheroids (up to almost 100 micrometers in diameter) using a modified BD sorter with a 200 micrometer diameter exit orifice in a paper we published some years ago (Freyer JP, Wilder ME, Jett JH (1987) Viable sorting of intact multicellular spheroids by flow cytometry. Cytometry 8: 427-436). We could approach sorting efficiencies of 90-100% with appropriate attention to delay times, sample flow rate and oscillator frequency and driver voltage. I should also note that we have published a method for suspending samples of large particles in suspension for introduction into a flow sorter (Freyer JP, Fillak D, Jett JH (1989) Use of xanthan gum to suspend large particles during flow cytometric analysis and sorting. Cytometry 10: 803-806). The sample flow rate can vary enormously over a few minutes since the particles will settle rapidly if just suspended in a normal aqueous buffer. ---------------------------------------------- James P. Freyer, Ph.D. Cellular and Molecular Biology Group Life Sciences Division Mail Stop M888 Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos, NM 87545 505-667-8229 505-665-3024 (fax) ---------------------------------------------
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