Quantitative Microfluorimetry: Free Radical Production and Statistical Multiparametric Analysis of Dying Cells

Free radicals are an important part of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Their presence is essential for proper cell function. If present in moderate amounts, they act as signalling messengers in numerous cellular processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, as well as cell-cell communication. However, excessive ROS accumulation leads to oxidative stress inducing cell damage and death. Numerous diseases are linked to aberrant ROS production. Direct quantification of ROS on a cellular level remains difficult nowadays. Since their detection on cellular level is of great interest for bio-medical researches new methods are continually developed, such as spin trapping techniques or synthesis of new fluorescence probes.