Ranging from high frequency HAB and water quality monitoring, algae production support to various biomedical and biotechnology research applications. Typically onsite locations in order for speedy, flexible and continuous analyses. CytoSense C is mobile and suited for frequent transport, allowing easy change of location and deployment. For instance on ships and attaching to ferryboxes and use in more harsh ‘industrial’ conditions. The CytoSub versions can operate under water and the CytoSense XR is the basic laboratory version.
Advantages over typical flow cytometers or dynamic imaging devices:
Detailed information and examples on the quality of CytoSense counting, scanning and imaging can be found on the quality page.
The CytoSense is accompanied with user friendly software for data processing & analysis. Detailed information on the data gathered with the CytoSense can be found on the data page.
The CytoSense-C can be accompanied with various accessories, ranging from solutions for online or multi sample operation, as well as automatic fluorescent staining. Explore these on our products page or contact us for information on all available options.
Imaging in flow system/CytoSense generates high resolution images with optical resolution <1µm, 3.3 to 4.6 pixels/µm, 2.3 – 5.3 Mpixel sensors, 528 – 778 um field of view sensors).
0.1 um up to 800 um in diameter vs. 2500 µm in length. Photo’s from 1 µm to max 778 µm. Laser based scanning detects submicron particles and up, and has a maximum particle length of 2500 µm.
Single cells up to colonies. Wide range of sample flow rates (0.07-16 µl/s) allows low to high particle loads
CytoSense is scanning the scatter and fluorescence properties of EVERY particle passing the laser beam (even with the high particle loading, i.e. 10 000 particles per second) allowing quick and detailed analysis of cells. Result: classic flow cytometry data for small cells <5µm and added morphological properties for particles >5µm.
No need for pre-filtration due to specially designed fluidics with 800 µm diameter minimal orifice throughout
Recirculating, antifouling sheath fluid design keeping the flowcell free of biofilm buildup
The CytoSense C can be configured with up to 2 lasers & 6 optical detectors.
Upgradable with staining module, sampling automation & other accessories.
To support harmonisation across the community, Dr. Veronique Creach (Cefas) is developing a Terms of Reference (TOR) within the ICES Working Group on Phytoplankton and Microbial Ecology (WGPME): “Create a guide for determining consistent plankton observations at high frequency.”
High-frequency flow cytometry and imaging are increasingly used to characterise phytoplankton diversity, including community cell-size structure. This approach aligns with the GOOS-edited (2025) Essential Ocean Variable Specification Sheet and supports higher-order products such as Phytoplankton Functional Types. As autonomous, high-sampling deployments expand, shared best practices for
collection, measurement, and analysis are essential.
To support harmonisation across the community, we are developing a Terms of Reference (TOR) within the ICES Working Group on Phytoplankton and Microbial Ecology (WGPME): “Create a guide for determining consistent plankton observations at high frequency.”
Who we’re looking for: CytoBuoy users (any platform or configuration).
What to share: sampling workflows, calibration/QA approaches, processing pipelines, metadata practices, and lessons learned from autonomous/high-frequency deployments.
Why participate: help establish consistent methods and improve
comparability across datasets and regions.
If you use a CytoBuoy instrument and would like to contribute, please contact Dr Veronique Creach (veronique.creach@cefas.gov.uk) or Nicole Poulton (npoulton@bigelow.org). A brief note describing your instrument configuration and use case is enough to get started.