Course 2- Instrumentation – Optics, Fluidics, and Detection

Topics Covered:

• Understanding the components and function of lasers, optics, fluidics, and detectors in flow cytometry.
• Differentiating between gas and diode lasers and selecting optimal light sources.
• Selecting and configuring appropriate optical filters for multi-color panels.
• Applying principles of fluidics for sample alignment and flow rate management.
• Understanding the differences between PMTs and APDs and their relevance to CGT workflows.
• Recognizing the impact of spectral cytometry on multiplexing and resolution.
• Identifying and mitigating common instrumentation challenges in spectral cytometry.
• Applying best practices for optimizing detector voltages and experimental panel design.
• Making informed decisions when evaluating cytometer purchases for CGT use cases.
• Demonstrating knowledge through successful completion of a quiz based on these technical concepts.

What You’ll Gain from This Course

• See inside the instrument – Break down how lasers, optics, fluidics, and detectors work together so you can troubleshoot and speak the same language as service engineers and QA auditors.

• Choose the right light – Compare gas- versus diode-based lasers and learn practical rules-of-thumb for matching the best excitation source to your fluorochromes and budget.

• Build smarter panels – Practice selecting dichroics and band-pass filters that keep spillover low and signal high, setting you up for cleaner multicolor data.

• Control your stream – Apply fluidics principles that ensure tight core alignment and stable flow rates—essentials for reproducible cell-therapy assays.

• Pick the optimal detector – Understand when classic PMTs or newer APDs deliver better sensitivity for rare-event and high-parameter CGT workflows.

• Unlock spectral power – Discover how full-spectrum unmixing expands multiplexing and resolution, and learn strategies to avoid common pitfalls.

• Optimize like a pro – Use best-practice checklists for voltage titration, compensation/unmixing, and panel design to shorten your assay-development timeline.

• Shop with confidence – Translate technical specs into purchasing criteria so you can justify—or challenge—capital-equipment decisions.

• Validate your skills – Pass the end-of-course quiz and earn an accredited certificate (with CMLE credits) to document your new competencies for supervisors and regulators.