Microparticles are ubiquitous in everyday life and in the environment, spanning areas such as nutrition, health, sustainability, agriculture and technology. They are the basic building blocks of cells and tissues that form living matter, organisms and biosystems.
Imaging flow cytometry (IFC) analyzes the smallest amounts of liquid and creates a high-resolution microscopic measurement image for all the particles it contains. This is how the Leibniz IPHT identifies and examines microalgae that form valuable substances.
For example, we have used our imaging flow cytometry to analyze algae populations that are cultivated in photobioreactors and produce the carotenoid astaxantin. Astaxantin is recognized as a health-promoting dietary supplement due to its antioxidant and radical-binding effects. The information obtained from our IFC image data on the vitality of the algae cells and bioproduction activity can be used for optimal control of the bioreactor.