[Flow cytometry and cell sorting: current state and prospects for use in molecular biology]

A survey of the specific features of flow cytometry, principals of instrumentation and main parameters of the modern cell sorting cytometers is given. Analytical capacities of flow cytometry as well as the main directions of its applications in cell biology, clinical diagnostics, immunology, biotechnology and molecular biology are considered. Also a possible future development of flow cytometry instrumentation and applications in molecular biology are briefly discussed.