Flow Cytometry – Sophisticated Tool for Basic Research or/and Routine Diagnosis; Impact of the Complementarity in Both Pre- as Well as Clinical Studies

Flow cytometry is a sophisticated technology used widely in both basic research and as a routine tool in clinical diagnosis. The technology has progressed from single parameter detection in the 1970s and 1980s to high end multicolor analysis, with currently 30 parameters detected simultaneously, allowing the identification and purification of rare subpopulations of cells of interest. Flow cytometry continues to evolve and expand to facilitate the investigation of new diagnostic and therapeutic avenues. The present review gives an overview of basic theory and instrumentation, presents and compares the advantages and disadvantages of conventional, spectral and imaging flow cytometry as well as mass cytometry. Current methodologies and applications in both research, pre- and clinical settings are discussed, as well as potential limitations and future evolution. This finding encourages the reader to promote such relationship between basic science, diagnosis and multidisciplinary approach since the standard methods have limitations (e.g., in differentiating the cells after staining). Moreover, such path inspires future cytometry specialists develop new/alternative frontiers between pre- and clinical diagnosis and be more flexible in designing the study for both human as well as veterinary medicine.