flow cytometry

noun

flow cy·​tom·​e·​try -sī-ˈtä-mə-trē 

: a technique for identifying and sorting cells and their components (such as DNA) by staining with a fluorescent dye and detecting the fluorescence usually by laser beam illumination

flow cytometer

-sī-ˈtä-mə-tər 

noun

Examples of flow cytometry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Prince was the first African-American to hold undergraduate and graduate degrees in clinical laboratory medicine with a specialty in flow cytometry and hematology and a doctorate in medical science education from UWM, according to the governor's office. —Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2023

On Earth, the technique that scientists use to sort cells by size is called flow cytometry, and it is used frequently in marine environments. —Natalie Elliot, Scientific American, 16 July 2021

In pathology, and specifically for complete blood count (CBC), first-generation automation has been applied since the 1960s by running cells through pipes using a technology called flow cytometry. —Sarah Levy, Forbes, 5 Apr. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

flow cytometry

noun

: a technique for identifying and sorting cells and their components (as DNA) by staining with a fluorescent dye and detecting the fluorescence usually by laser beam illumination

flow cytometer noun