Error analysis in flow microfluorometry.

Sources of error in a typical algorithm for the analysis of single flow-microfluorometric histograms are identified. A new statistical model for such data is presented, by means of which the error sources are quantitatively investigated. These theoretical investigations lead to three practical observations: A more detailed characterization of the fluorescence dispersion process is needed for a more refined algorithm. Levels of dispersion typically experienced are such that from a single histogram the distribution of cells within S-phase cannot be finely resolved; but the crude distribution of cells among the three phases G1, S, and G2-M may be accurately estimated. If currently typical levels of dispersion can be halved, then the S-phase distribution can be finely resolved.