Standardization, calibration, and control in flow cytometry.

Because flow cytometers are designed to measure particle characteristics, particles are the most common materials used to calibrate, control, and standardize the instruments. Definitions are provided for common terms to alert the reader to critical distinctions in meaning. The unit presents extensive background on particle types and cautions and goes on to describe practical aspects of methods to standardize and calibrate instruments, in terms of optical alignment, fluorescence and light scatter resolution, and sensitivity. Finally, suggestions follow for analyzing particles used for calibration.