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Flow Cytometry

Flow Cytometry

The development of flow cytometry techniques began in 1934 with initial attempts by Andrew Moldavan, a bacteriologist who counted the cells in a flowing capillary system. Moldavan pumped cells through a capillary tube focused under a microscope for visualization. The invention of photometry allowed the measurement of differentially-stained cells, and Louis Kamentsky developed the first multiparameter flow cytometer in 1965 to identify and count the cancer cells in cervical tissue specimens.
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Updated: Jun 20, 2025

Laser-Induced Fluorescence Emission L.I.F.E. as Novel Non-Invasive Tool for In-Situ Measurements of Biomarkers in Cryospheric Habitats

Laser-Induced Fluorescence Emission L.I.F.E. as Novel Non-Invasive Tool for In-Situ Measurements of Biomarkers in Cryospheric Habitats

Published on: October 26, 2019

Life Detection on Icy Moons Using Flow Cytometry and Intrinsically Fluorescent Biomolecules.

Matthew L Wallace¹, Nicholas Tallarida¹, Wayne W Schubert¹

¹Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA.

|July 18, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Flow cytometry can detect life on icy moons by identifying intrinsically fluorescent biomolecules, enhancing previous methods. This advanced technique broadens the scope for extraterrestrial life detection.

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Area of Science:

Astrobiology
Planetary Science
Biotechnology

Background:

Flow cytometry has been proposed as a life detection technology for icy moons.
Previous work utilized exogenous fluorescent stains for detection.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate flow cytometry's capability in detecting life using intrinsically fluorescent biomolecules.
To enhance life detection methods for icy moon missions.

Main Methods:

Utilized flow cytometry to identify six classes of intrinsically fluorescent biomolecules: flavins, carotenoids, chlorophyll, tryptophan, NAD+, and NAD(P)H.
Tested the method with known organisms and abiotic materials.
Analyzed natural samples with unknown content to simulate icy moon conditions.

Main Results:

Flow cytometry successfully distinguished known organisms from abiotic materials based on intrinsic fluorescence.
All six targeted intrinsically fluorescent biomolecules were identified in natural samples.
Biotic material was successfully separated from abiotic material using scatter plots.

Conclusions:

Flow cytometry, using intrinsically fluorescent biomolecules, is a viable life detection method for icy moons.
Combining intrinsic fluorescence with exogenous stains offers a more comprehensive approach to astrobiological sample analysis.
This method increases the potential for discovering life beyond Earth.