Flow cytometric imaging-a novel tool for identification of marine organisms

A novel method called "Imaging In Flow" or better "Flow Cytometric Imaging" has the potential to combine the conveniences of microscopy and flow cytometry for particle identification within a single instrumental set-up. This is achieved by taking cell images directly from the transducer of a flow cytometer. The link between the two analysis techniques results in a variety of principal difficulties whose solution will are addressed. This concerns the hydrodynamic positioning of the particles to be imaged, the design of the illumination and imaging optics and the procedure of asynchronous image recording with cameras customary in trade. The actual performance of flow cytometric imaging concerning image quality and system stability will be demonstrated by presentation of pictures of algae grown in cultures.<>