REVIEW article
Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.
Sec. Biosensors and Biomolecular Electronics
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2025.1580749
Imaging flow cytometry: from high-resolution morphological imaging to innovation in high-throughput multidimensional biomedical analysis
Provisionally accepted
Qing Huang
Zhengyu ZhouQiao LvQian MinLu JiangQian ChenJin PengHongli ZhouJu ZhouQian Dai
Jianyun Zhou*- Clinical Medicine Research Center, Xinqiao Hospital, Chongqing, China
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Imaging flow cytometry (IFC), as an extension of conventional flow cytometry, has emerged as a cutting-edge cellular analysis tool by integrating high-resolution imaging technology, and has shown significant potential and application value in biomedical re search. In this paper, we comprehensively review the evolution of IFC from its early theoretical development to its current mature application, and explain its working principle, unique advantages, and the current status of its application in several biome dical fields. The paper focuses on how IFC integrates high-throughput and morphological imaging, highlighting its key role in cell biology, immunology, oncology, and environmental monitoring. Furthermore, the paper addresses the challenges and opportunities in data analysis, and proposes the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies to drive its progress. The paper concludes with an outlook on the future of IFC, predicting its application in emerging research areas and emphasizing the role of continuous technological innovation in driving the development of the field. It aims to provide researchers with a comprehensive view of IFC to promote its widespread application in biomedical research.
Keywords: Imaging flow cytometry, high-throughput analysis, Morphological imaging, Biomedical Research, artificial intelligence, machine learning
Received: 21 Feb 2025; Accepted: 23 Apr 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Huang, Zhou, Lv, Min, Jiang, Chen, Peng, Zhou, Zhou, Dai and Zhou. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Jianyun Zhou, Clinical Medicine Research Center, Xinqiao Hospital, Chongqing, China
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