cell sorting


cell sorting

The separation of cells from one another, based on physical or chemical properties. Cell-separation techniques are used to collect uniform populations of cells from tissues or fluids in which many different cell types are present. The collected cells can then be used for transplantation or scientific study. Common methods of separating cells include cloning, centrifugation, electrophoresis, magnetism, and antibody- or fluorescent-binding. See: flow cytometry

fluorescence-activated cell sorting

Abbreviation: FACS
A method of separating cells by selectively tagging them with colored fluorescent dyes bound to specific cellular structures or molecules.