Automated cytology. The state of the art.
Analytical cytology is the science of automatically analyzing morphologic, biochemical, biophysical, and functional aspects of cells by machine. Two basic techniques are used: image cytometry, in which microscopic objects on a slide or in a photograph are analyzed; and flow cytometry, in which biologic particles in aqueous suspensions are forced to pass through a measuring device. The latter technique has the added power of sorting particles according to type for further study. Currently, analytic cytology is being studied for use in the following areas: WBC differentiation, cell-cycle kinetics, prescreening for uterine cancer, screening of high-risk groups, monitoring of tumor therapy, and microbial and chromosome analysis. In all these areas, analytic cytology has the potential to improve existing techniques and to make results more uniform; likewise, its sensitivity, accuracy, and speed may well allow a breadth and depth of analysis not presently allowed by human study.
D001331:Automation; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000032:analysis; D003201:Computers; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D004905:Erythrocyte Aging; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007700:Kinetics; D008403:Mass Screening; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology