Nano-flow cytometry is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to transform early disease detection and diagnosis. Nano-flow cytometers are able to detect and analyze individual nanoparticles, including extracellular vesicles and viruses, with high sensitivity and accuracy. This makes them ideal for detecting diseases at their earliest stages, when they are most treatable.

How does nano-flow cytometry work?

In nano-flow cytometry (nfCM), a sample of cells or other particles is passed through a laser beam. A number of photodetectors detect the light that is scattered off of the particles by the laser beam. A histogram of the particle sizes and light scattering characteristics is produced using the photodetectors' data.

What can nano-flow cytometry detect?

• Extracellular vesicles (EVs): Small vesicles called EVs are expelled by cells. They contain a range of biomolecules, such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease are just a few of the illnesses for which EVs can be used as biomarkers.
• Viruses: Viruses like HIV and SARS-CoV-2 can be detected and quantified using nano-flow cytometry. This can be applied to both diagnose viral infections and track their development.
• Other nanoparticles: Other nanoparticles, including exosomes, liposomes, and nanoparticles used in drug delivery, can be found and analyzed using nano-flow cytometry.

What are the benefits of nano-flow cytometry?

• Increased sensitivity: detect smaller particles than traditional flow cytometers. This makes them ideal for detecting diseases at their earliest stages.
• Improved accuracy: accurately measure the size and light scattering properties of individual particles. This allows for more accurate and reproducible results.
• Versatility: detect and analyze a wide variety of nanoparticles. This makes them a powerful tool for a variety of research and clinical applications.

How is nano-flow cytometry being used to improve early disease detection?

• Cancer detection: Nano-flow cytometry is being used by researchers to create new blood tests that can identify cancer cells in their earliest stages. As an illustration, scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles have created a brand-new blood test that can find circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in people with early-stage lung cancer. Cancer cells known as CTCs are cancer cells that have detached from a tumor and entered the blood. Patients with lung cancer may have a better prognosis if CTCs are found early.
• Alzheimer's disease detection: In order to create new blood tests that can spot early indications of Alzheimer's disease, researchers are using nano-flow cytometry. For instance, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have created a brand-new blood test that can identify toxic proteins called amyloid beta oligomers, which are thought to contribute to the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease can be slowed down in its progression and the quality of life for patients increased with early detection.
• Viral infection detection and monitoring: New approaches for identifying and keeping track of viral infections are also being developed using nano-flow cytometry. As an illustration, scientists at the University of California, San Francisco have created a brand-new blood test that can identify HIV in its earliest stages. Compared to conventional HIV tests, this one is more sensitive and can find the virus even before anti-HIV antibodies have formed. HIV must be identified early in order to start treatment and stop the spread of the virus to others.

The future of nano-flow cytometry

A technology with a promising future, nanoflow cytometry is currently in rapid development. The use of nano-flow cytometers in research and clinical settings is likely to increase as they become more accessible and affordable.

Early disease detection and diagnosis could be completely changed by nano-flow cytometry. Nano-flow cytometry has the potential to save lives by identifying diseases in the very early stages.