A flow cytometer is a device that irradiates cells stained with a fluorescent reagent with a laser and analyzes the types and properties of the cells by measuring fluorescence and scattered light. Flow cytometers are widely used in cellular research fields such as immunology, oncology, and regenerative medicine, as well as in drug discovery.

Particularly in realms like drug discovery and biomarker discovery, which require analysis of many types of cells, there is a real need for the capacity to analyze large numbers of specimen rapidly, efficiently, and accurately.

With conventional autosamplers, the well plate moves horizontally, while the sample suction probe2 moves vertically to collect the samples. The consequence of this is that the sample must traverse a relatively long distance before reaching the measuring unit, and this can cause issues with processing speed and carryover ratio (the rate of cross contamination between samples).

The SA3800's newly developed autosampler employs a stationary sample suction probe and a well plate that moves in three dimensions (X, Y, Z axes), thus speeding the sample acquisition and analysis process. Additionally, the probe has a built-in self-washing function that further reduces the carryover ratio to 0.1% or less.3 These capabilities enable the SA3800 to realize stable yet high-speed sample collection, which is a much sought after feature for the analysis of large numbers of samples.

The optical unit employs Sony's original spectral analysis system for detecting fluorescence waveforms, which has a proven track record as a technology installed in Sony's SP6800Z series4 cell analyzer already on the market.

The adoption of a highly sensitive 32 channel photomultiplier tube (PMT) makes possible the detection and separation of the previously unmeasurable factor of cell autofluorescence5. It also greatly simplifies the time-consuming process of fluorochrome correction and ensures that results are verifiable, regardless of who is operating the device.