Flow Imaging Microscopy Blog

What should my fluorescence settings be for phytoplankton analysis? What should my context settings be for protein analysis? How do I use file processing mode? 

We've compiled VisualSpreadsheet^® How-To Videos on our YouTube channel that serve as guides on suggested settings, and instructions on useful functions, including: 

• Quick Start Guide: Context Settings for Aquatic Samples and Proteinaceous Samples
• Quick Start Guide: Fluorescence Settings for Phytoplankton Analysis
• How to Use File Processing Mode for Phytoplankton and Proteinaceous Samples
  

Our flagship product released in 2002, the FlowCam VS imaging flow cytometer, could optionally be outfitted with a 2X objective which touted a maximum particle analysis size of 1 mm. When the FlowCam 8000 Series was released in 2016 and replaced the FlowCam VS, a 2X objective was not available and maximum particle analysis size was reduced down to 600 µm. 

How do you change an FOV flow cell? Clean an FOV flow cell? Change an objective on the FlowCam?

We've compiled FlowCam How To Videos on our YouTube channel that instruct you on basic FlowCam operations and maintenance, including:

• How to Install and Remove an FOV Flow Cell in FlowCam 8000
• How to Autofocus Your FlowCam 8000
• How to Change an Objective 
• How to Clean an FOV Flow Cell Using a Luer Lock Syringe

Every version of VisualSpreadsheet^® is equipped with File Processing Mode, a unique tool offered by the FlowCam^®. It offers an efficient and cost-effective way to optimize your particle analysis.  By using File Processing Mode, you can reduce your effort by ensuring your valuable sample is captured correctly the first time.

It is no secret that plastic has found its way into more and more everyday products. However, it may be surprising to learn about the sheer volume of plastic particulates shedding from these products and being released into the environment on a daily basis.

A study by Baker Hughes demonstrates that the FlowCam^® imaging particle analysis technology is a more informative method than spectrophotometry to evaluate the demulsification of produced water. Produced water generated during oil extraction is held in skim tanks where it is treated with water clarifiers or demulsifiers. Reverse emulsion breakers (REBs) coalesce the oil into larger molecules to be skimmed, or removed, from the produced water. The efficacy of REBs and other water clarifiers on produced water is important because oil extraction companies must meet water quality environmental regulations before releasing produced water back into the environment, or they require a low oil content if the water is to be reused in the extraction process. 

We use our Flow Imaging Microscopy blog as a platform to serve up the latest in relevant news, highlight novel uses of the FlowCam, and announce FlowCam technology developments. This year we blogged about 54 different topics. Below is a recap of the Top 10 Most Read Blog Posts of 2018. 

Flow Imaging Microscopes provide the in-depth characterization of particles in protein therapeutics as recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). When evaluating instrumentation in this area, it is important to consider and compare these five important features.

The FlowCam continues to be an important instrument in biopharmaceutical research. The ability to image and characterize morphological features of particulate in parenteral formulations is an important aspect of ensuring quality and safety in injectable drug products.

October 2018 — Environmental Engineering Research published a paper presenting a new method for cell counting Microcystis colonies using the FlowCam.  Researchers from Korea Water Resources Corporation, University of Central Florida, and Kyungbook National University developed a three-dimensional image processing method using an algorithm to count colonial Microcystis cells.