RE: Flow Cytometry QA

RE: Flow Cytometry QA

The coefficient of variation  of a bead population is an descriptor to
determine if the flow cytometer is working correctly. Other
investigators  have used multi-intensity  beads and machine sensitivity
as indicators of a good functioning machine. Are there published values
that exisist from the different manufacturers

Years ago ---BD previously stated that a CV below 3% on their 3u beads
is acceptable for a FacsCalibur for all there parameters    .
Years ago--On a BD  FACSstar Plus, they used fixed chicken Red blood
cells (Famous San Jose Chicken) as their alignment standards (subjective
measure) to determine if the machine was calibrated. This is a
subjective assessment.

Do QA standards exist for the various flow cytometer to assure they are
working properly?

Bob

Robert M. Zucker, PhD
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory
Reproductive Toxicology Division, MD 72
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27711
Tel: 919-541-1585; fax 919-541-4017
e-mail: zucker.robert@epa.gov