Autofluorescence lifetime flow cytometry with time-correlated single photon counting.

Area of Science:

• Biophotonics
• Cellular Metabolism
• Microscopy and Imaging

Background:

• Autofluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) detects metabolic changes via NAD(P)H co-enzymes.
• Traditional FLIM uses expensive, low-throughput laser-scanning microscopes requiring extensive post-processing.

Conclusions:

• This TCSPC-based autofluorescence lifetime flow cytometer provides a valuable label-free method for real-time analysis of single-cell function and metabolism.
• The system offers significantly higher throughput compared to traditional laser-scanning FLIM microscopy.
• This technology advances cellular analysis by enabling rapid, detailed metabolic and functional insights at the single-cell level.