FCMPASS Installation Requirements
- Computer [16GB RAM, quad-core processor]
- Flow cytometer with conventional (perpendicular) side scatter collection optics.
This software's automated light scatter calibration function does not currently cater for
non-conventional
collection optics (e.g. Apogee instruments), though custom collection angles can be inputted for manual
light
scatter calibration.
- 6+ NIST-traceable size standards (if performing light scatter calibration).
Non-fluorescent, traceable size standards are required for reliable light scatter calibration with the
software.
This is due to the automated scatter calibration calculating the system collection angle based on
specific
optical properties of the beads which include diameter and refractive index. Particles with fluorescent
properties such as FluoSpheres or MegaMix beads, which lack exact diameter and refractive index
assignments,
do
not produce robust and reliable models for the derivation of collection angle and therefore less
suitable
as
reference materials for reliable diameter calibration.
- Fluorescent reference particles (if performing fluorescence calibration).
The software can be used with any beads that have assigned reference values e.g. MESF or ERF beads.