High-dimensional flow cytometry is transforming the way researchers analyse complex cell populations. Unlike conventional cytometry, which is limited to measuring a few parameters per cell, this technology allows dozens of markers to be explored simultaneously, offering a much richer and more detailed view of the immune system, tumours, or even extracellular vesicles such as exosomes.
What is high-dimensional flow cytometry?
In simple terms, it involves combining:
- Advanced cytometers capable of detecting more than 20–40 parameters in a single cell.
- Multicolour antibody panels strategically designed to study complex cell phenotypes.
- Multivariate analysis computational algorithms such as t-SNE o UMAP that allow data to be visualised in comprehensible maps.
With this approach, scientists can obtain a complete ‘immune map’ of each sample in a single experiment.
Why is it gaining ground?
The adoption of high-dimensional flow cytometry is growing rapidly in immunology, oncology, and translational biomedicine laboratories. Its key advantages are:
1. Depth of cell characterisation
It allows the identification of very specific subpopulations of T, B, or NK cells that would go unnoticed in a conventional analysis. This is essential in areas such as immunotherapy with CAR-T cells (more information).
2. Discovery of biomarkers
Thanks to multivariate analysis, cellular signatures associated with clinical response or resistance to treatment can be detected, which is key in oncology and personalised medicine.
3. Emerging applications
In addition to immunology, it is being used in:
- Research into infectious diseases.
- Characterisation of exosomes and other extracellular vesicles.
- Development of new therapies based on stem cells or genetically modified cells.
Challenges and prospects
Although it offers enormous potential, this technique also presents challenges:
- It requires state-of-the-art equipment and careful design of antibody panels.
- Data analysis requires advanced bioinformatics.
- Standardisation between laboratories is still in progress.
Even so, the trend is clear: high-dimensional flow cytometry is establishing itself as an essential tool in modern biomedical research.
Conclusion
The future of cytometry is moving towards multidimensional and computationally assisted approaches. Understanding the complexities of the immune system and diseases requires tools that go beyond traditional methods.
In this context, High-Dimensional Flow Cytometry is not only gaining ground, but is becoming a benchmark standard for next-generation research.
Want to know how to implement this technology in your laboratory? Find out more about our solutions at Immunostep.