Michael Blundell, PhD: No financial relationships to disclose
Introduction/Rationale: Full spectrum cytometry is increasingly preferred over conventional cytometry for its ability to generate data from larger, more complex panels. However, progress is hampered by the limited availability of suitable dyes. Many existing fluorophores are dim, have poor stability, lack a unique emission wavelength, or have high spectral overlap, limiting panel optimization and affecting data quality.
Methods: .
Results: Bio-Rad's StarBright Dyes for flow cytometry have expanded to 36 fluorophores with the addition of four new Spectral StarBright Dyes, purpose-built for spectral cytometry, where no fluorophores with similar peak emissions exist. They address key challenges by providing bright, narrowly defined emission spectra, allowing larger panels to be acquired. Using data obtained from a Cytek Aurora (Cytek Biosciences), we show that these new dyes also enhance existing panels by replacing suboptimal traditional fluorophores, minimizing spectral overlap and spreading without compromising data quality
Conclusion: New Spectral StarBright Dyes provide the same benefits as current StarBright Dyes and are compatible with the existing dyes and other fluorophores, ensuring seamless integration into established workflows. The wide choice available simplifies panel design and offers alternatives for conventional dyes, offering improved performance while maintaining compatibility with standard protocols.
