Rainbow fluorescent particles are such type of particles that are mostly internally labelled with various fluorophores. These particles exhibit full spectrum fluorescence that includes both UV and Far Red fluorescence. Ultra rainbow particles can be excited at any wavelength from 365 to 650 nm due to the help of mixture containing fluorophores. Availability of these particles in case of diameter is usually 3.8 and 10.3 um.
The basic concentration of these particles are usually 2*10^6 particles/mL. The buffer should have deionized water with a concentration of 0.02% sodium azide and 0.01% np-40.
How you can stable these particles for a longer run?
They should be stored at 2-8 C and the freezing particles can be result in the irreversible aggregation and the loss of binding activity as well. Stability of the product will be 12 months from the date of purchase provided to be handled in accordance to the manufacturer’s recommendations and suggestions. Moreover, the reagent should be added in the opaque bottle for the longer stability.
As we know that sodium azide can be a cause of reaction with lead and copper that will assist in the formation of explosive metal azides that are hazardous. Moreover, to prevent azide accumulation flush all the material with a large volume of water upon disposal.
Both are similar enough that they contain a single fluorescent peal that is designed to check the optical alignment of any flow cytometer. Moreover, both the particles have low fluorescence and also a bit similar size coefficient of variation that is functional. The type of fluorophores that are being used in both are also quite alike so due to this reason both are used in each and every fluorescent channel of the corresponding flow cytometer from the ultraviolet to infrared radiation.
Both these particles are useful enough for the alignment of the optical system in a meaningful way.
RCPs are sufficient in routine calibration of all the available channels in flow cytometers. For instance they are quite effective in verifying the instruments setup in order to check the sensitivity and linearity of the instrument. Rainbow calibration particles basically use particles of similar sizes having different fluorescence intensities. Apart from this each and every particle has a mixture of fluorescent dyes entrapped inside that facilitates the excitation and detection of particles.
