Plankton Analysis by Automated Submersible Imaging Flow Cytometry: Transforming a Specialized Research Instrument into a Broadly Accessible Tool and Extending Its Target Size Range
2010
Olson, Robert J. | Sosik, Heidi M.
Detailed knowledge of the composition and characteristics of the particles suspended in seawater is crucial to an understanding of the biology, optics and geochemistry of the oceans. The composition and size distribution of the phytoplankton community, for example, help determine the flow of carbon and nutrients through an ecosystem and can be important indicators of how coastal environments respond to anthropogenic disturbances such as nutrient loading and pollution. Our goal is to provide researchers with instruments to continuously monitor phytoplankton community structure and investigate questions about the world's ocean ecosystems. Flow cytometry is one of the most promising technologies for studies of the microscopic constituents of marine ecosystems (Moore et al. 2009; Sosik et al. 2009). The intent of this project is twofold: to commercialize a field-proven state-of-the-art submersible imaging flow cytometer for nano- and microplankton so that other researchers can utilize this exciting new technology, and to develop a next generation of the instrument with extended measurement range, capable of analyzing cells from picoto microplankton.
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