Flow Cytometry Protocol
- Harvest and wash cells according to the manufacturer's guidance. 0.5M EDTA is recommended for the adherent cells.
- Determine the total cell number and check cell viability. >90% is recommended.
- Spin down and resuspend cell samples in an ice-cold suspension buffer. 2%FBS with DPBS is recommended.
- Proceed to stain with a viability dye. DNA binding dyes, such as 7-AAD and DAPI are often used as viability dyes for live/dead staining, as they cannot penetrate the cell membrane of live cells.
- Stain cells with a viability dye.
- Wash cells two times with wash buffer. 2% FBS with DPBS is recommended.
- Proceed to blocking when detecting extracellular targets or to fixation and permeabilization for intracellular targets.
- Fix the cells in your chosen fixative. 2% paraformaldehyde (PFA), 30 min on ice is recommended.
- Wash the cells two times with suspension buffer.
- Permeabilize cells by incubating them with a suitable detergent. 0.2% Tween-20 in PBS, 10min in room temperature is recommended.
- Wash the cells two times with the suspension buffer.
- Block Fc receptors with a blocking buffer. 2% goat serum in DPBS is recommended.
- Wash cells two times with the wash buffer.
- Proceed to antibody incubation.
- Dilute the conjugated primary antibody in the suspension buffer.
- Incubate cells in the pre-diluted primary antibody. Incubate in the dark for 1 hour on ice.
- Wash the cells two times with the suspension buffer.
- Proceed to detection in the flow cytometer as soon as possible.