[Microbeads, nanobeads and cytometry: applications to the analysis and purification of cells and biomolecules]

Nano and microspheres are important tools in cytometry. They have been used in first to optimize fluorescent signals detected by flow cytometry and to evaluate phagocytosis. Some antigens were also detected by using nanospheres covalently coupled to antibodies. Specifically dedicated microspheres are now widely used for antigenic quantitation by flow cytometry, and magnetic nano and micropheres are very usefull for cellular and molecular purifications. To date, analytical methods based on the use of microspheres are developed to detect proteins, nucleic acids, and ions. To this end, antibodies, oligonucleotides, or chelating agents are bound to microspheres characterized by different fluorescences. The applications of these multiplexed microspheres assays allow to identify and quantify simultaneously some macromolecules and ions, but they also permit to analyze enzymatic activities and to perform polymorphism analyses. With microspheres used as reactive support, molecular analyses are therefore possible by flow cytometry. Nano and microspheres are also usefull tools for calibration in confocal microscopy as well as for micromanipulations of biomolecules and of living cells. Inovative methods based on the use of nano and microspheres are expected in the fields of biology, medicine, food industry, and environmental sciences.