Flow cytometry is special technique enabling analysis of each individual cell in cell suspension. Analyzed parameters include cell count, size, granularity, viability and when combined with antibodies - protein expression. FACS (Fluorescent activated cell sorting) is a flow cytometric method enabling sorting of cells based on known parameters in heterogeneous populations.
Flow cytometry found its place in research laboratories as well as in routine diagnostic laboratories, because it can analyze large amounts of cells in a short time.