BioSciences - Polysciences, Inc.

Microspheres & Particles
Flow Cytometry
Flow Check Microspheres and Kits
Flow Check ® beads have been designed to assist flow cytometry users in checking the suitability of
their instruments and their procedures. The particles are made from a polystyrene base and stored
as an aqueous suspension. Components of the Flow Check ® kits are also available individually.
Flow Check ® Particles and Compensation Particle Sets
Flow cytometers are complex instruments that require the fluidic system, excitation optics and
detection optics to be in optimal working order. The precise alignment of these systems insures the
highest levels of sensitivity and repeatability. In addition to optimizing the overall performance of
the flow cytometer, it is also necessary to set up the instrument for the particular type of samples
being analyzed. To facilitate these processes, Polysciences offers a wide range of fluorescent microspheres
for flow cytometry calibration and set up that contain the actual dyes or spectral analogues
to those used in antibody conjugations.
Flow Check ® BB/Green Compensation Kit ......................................
Kit contains two types of ~0.5µm particles (packaged with 1x10 9 particles per ml) and is designed
for checking the suitability of systems using both UV excitable dyes with blue emission (BB) and dyes
with a green emission (YG). The small size has been chosen to coincide with the use of Hoechst
dyes for the detection of bacteria. While the green beads (which mimic FITC fluorescent signals) are
similarly sized they can be separated when using blue or green detection parameters. Components
include: Cat. #23516 and #23520, see below. Technical Data Sheet #508
Flow Check ® YG Size Range Calibration Kit ....................................
Kit contains suspensions of four high intensity microparticles, which have been tested under flow
cytometry conditions for uniformity of size and fluorescent signal. Kit contains 10ml of each of the
following nominal particle sizes: 0.5µm, 1.0µm, 2.0µm and 6.0µm (with particle concentrations as
listed). The YG dye mimics the spectral properties of FITC without the leaching common to FITC.
Technical Data Sheet #508
Components
Flow Check ® High Intensity Alignment Grade Particles - 0.50µm (BB) A2dm .......
Flow Check ® High Intensity Alignment Grade Particles - 0.50µm (YG) A2dm .......
Flow Check ® High Intensity Alignment Grade Particles - 1.00µm (YG) A2dm .......
Flow Check ® High Intensity Alignment Grade Particles - 2.00µm (YG) A2dm .......
Flow Check ® High Intensity Alignment Grade Particles - 6.00µm (YG) A2dm .......
Flow Check ® Ruby Red Fluorescent Microspheres A2dm .........................
Flow Check ® Ruby Red Fluorescent Microspheres are ~6µm narrow distribution polystyrene particles
that can be used for flow cytometry applications where fluorescence emission in the range of
600nm to 710nm is needed. Suitable for 488nm and 663nm excitation, detection in PE-Cy5 or
APC channels. Supplied as a 5ml suspension (~5 x 10 6 beads/ml) in a convenient dropper bottle.
Excitation maximum: 475nm. Emission maximum: 663nm. Technical Data Sheet #624
Excitation and Emission Spectra of Flow Check ®
Ruby Red Reference Microspheres in Water
_____ Excitation Spectra
Max., 475nm
_____ Emission Spectra
Max., 663nm
Absorption spans approximately 380nm to 520nm.
Emission was recorded at 488nm excitation.
Catalog # Size
23515-1 1 kit
23514-1 1 kit
23520-10 10 ml
23516-10 10 ml
23517-10 10 ml
23518-10 10 ml
23519-10 10 ml
24288-5 5 ml
For more information please call (800) 523-2575 or visit: polysciences.com 269