Commentary

Top Photonics News: Flow cytometry--November 8, 2013

Nov. 8, 2013

In gathering laser market data for the 2014 Laser Market Review & Forecast article that we publish in the January issue of Laser Focus World, most of the biophotonics-related companies we spoke to are excited about flow cytometry.

Gail Overton

In gathering laser market data for the 2014 Laser Market Review & Forecast article that we publish in the January issue of Laser Focus World, the numbers being presented at our annual Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar (http://www.marketplaceseminar.com), most of the biophotonics-related companies we spoke to are excited about flow cytometry. With the help of microfluidics and low-cost light sources and detectors, flow cytometers are progressing from expensive multi-wavelength, high-performance DPSS laser-driven laboratory instruments to handheld, laser diode and even LED-based devices that can analyze everything from drinking water to biological fluids. Here are some of the top flow cytometry news stories:

1. Thorlabs recently acquired CompuCyte and its flow cytometry portfolio:

Thorlabs acquires CompuCyte and its Laser Scanning Cytometry (LSC) portfolio

2. BCC Research pegs the flow cytometery market at $3.1 billion dollars in 2012; wow!:

BCC Research Publishes a New Report On Global Markets for Flow Cytometry

3. Philadelphia, PA-based FlowMetric, a provider of flow cytometry and cell-sorting services, was invited on a "UK Trade Mission" to display its capabilities to UK companies and investors, with the outcome being possible funding or relationships:

FlowMetric Chosen to Join Philadelphia Mayor, Michael A. Nutter, on U.K. Trade Mission

4. A flow cytometer from Beckman Coulter Life Sciences for immunophenotyping through analysis of lymphocytes in whole blood just received FDA clearance in the US as well as clearance for sale in China:

Flow Cytometer Cleared for Diagnostic Use in US and China

5. These aren't top news postings, but did you know there are a variety of online flow cytometry resources? Check out the following helpful links:

Flow cytometry conferences and educational venues from the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry

The Flow Cytometry Network has educational tools, videos, and even a facebook page

LANL is home to the National Flow cytometry Resource, aiming to advance flow cytometry and transfer it to the biomedical community

I really couldn't believe that 662 Indeed.com job listings include the keywords "flow cytometry"

About the Author

Gail Overton | Senior Editor (2004-2020)

Gail has more than 30 years of engineering, marketing, product management, and editorial experience in the photonics and optical communications industry. Before joining the staff at Laser Focus World in 2004, she held many product management and product marketing roles in the fiber-optics industry, most notably at Hughes (El Segundo, CA), GTE Labs (Waltham, MA), Corning (Corning, NY), Photon Kinetics (Beaverton, OR), and Newport Corporation (Irvine, CA). During her marketing career, Gail published articles in WDM Solutions and Sensors magazine and traveled internationally to conduct product and sales training. Gail received her BS degree in physics, with an emphasis in optics, from San Diego State University in San Diego, CA in May 1986.