SPONSORED: FLOW CYTOMETRY AND MICROSCOPY
the flow Gemma Church explains how Vortran Laser Technology’s laser diodes are advancing flow cytometry and confocal microscopy
Going with
Human neuroblastoma cells: nuclei are stained in red, microfilaments are in green and in blue F
low cytometry is an established methodology with the first fluorescence-
based system invented back in 1968. But the field has come a long way, with flow cytometers evolving from slow and bulky gas laser systems into speedy multi-wavelength and multi- assay machines. Now, flow cytometers are used across many applications to detect and measure physical and chemical characteristics of a population of cells or particles. The target cells or particles are suspended in a fluid and injected into the instrument. Then, you can measure a range of properties, including the cell size and granularity. Flow cytometers are
increasingly used in single assay clinical applications, which are less flexible but more economical, with faster turnaround time for critical diagnostics. Advances in laser technology have opened the way for new colours of direct diodes (488 and 532nm especially), which are opening the door for highly advanced
26 Electro Optics July 2021
but simplified platforms. Steve Throne, vice president
of sales and marketing at Vortran Laser Technology, explained: ‘There have been advances in image-based cytometry, combining both traditional techniques of identifying cells with high- speed imaging to further validate the data.’ Throne added: ‘Recently
we have designed and tested an entire light engine which includes the diode, beam shaping, cuvette and detectors. Basically, a plug-and-play “black box” for a commercial flow cytometer.’ Vortran Laser Technology
has worked in this area for many years, supplying OEM companies and end users with a primary focus in the life sciences market. The company’s Stradus VersaLase system, Stradus laser and the Stradus Lite are also integrated in a vast range of flow cytometry platforms used today. The Stradus VersaLase
system is a multi-wavelength and highly stable platform that is pre-aligned to a collinear beam or spatially separated,
depending on the application. The single interface and ease of control, along with the reliable beam output, make it suitable for multi-channel systems, while reducing cost of aligning various individual lasers during manufacturing. The Stradus Laser is a flexible platform, with
“We can manufacture a laser in less than three hours, making lead times very short”
wavelengths available from the UV through the visible to the near-IR for reliable fluorescence signal detection. ‘Our Stradus laser modules
and systems are built on a platform technology that has a proven “best-in-market” reliability. With our blue (375 to 514nm) systems, we have yet to have a laser diode fail in the field with many used 24/7/365,’ Throne added. The Stradus Lite was specifically designed to meet lower cost requirements.
Built using the same laser technologies in a standard Stradus laser, it is a quarter the size and half the platform cost of the full-size module. A major benefit of all of
these systems is the simplicity of manufacturing, which reduces lead times. ‘While competitors may have short lead times to ship, this is due to building units to stock. We can manufacture a new laser in less than three hours, making lead times very short. Standard lead times were four to six weeks for lasers until we entered the market,’ Throne said.
Confocal microscopy The company’s Stradus lasers and VersaLase system are also widely used in the field of fluorescence confocal microscopy – an optical imaging technique using fluorophores to tag and image individual proteins resulting in detailed images of cells. There have been ‘a number
of breakthroughs’ in this field as well, according to Throne, who added: ‘The biggest advancement has been the proliferation of light sheet
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