Large Particle Sorting

Abstract

The design of jet-in-air flow sorters has centered around the optimal analysis of mammalian cells, particularly those of the lymphoid system, for sensible reasons of commerce. Lymphoid cells have small diameters (ca. 10 μm [2,3]) and are relatively robust. As a general rule, design parameters that are optimal for lymphoid cells are not suited for the analysis and sorting of larger cells (we operationally define large particles as cells or other objects that are larger, often much larger, than 10 μm). Large cells are found in individuals representing all kingdoms of living organisms, including mammalian species. Table 1 lists some examples restricted to the plant and animal kingdoms, although there are many other examples of large cells in the fungi, algae, and protozoans. Since flow cytometry and sorting provide unique ways of examining and quantitatively analyzing cells, it seems inevitable that future interest will grow in the application of these techniques to large particles.