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.