BD is the market leader in flow cytometry, a cellular analysis technology used to acquire information on a wide range of immune system diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and cancer. BD’s position of strength can be traced to a breakthrough in the early 1970s and a series of innovations that continues today.

     In the late 1960s, Professor Leonard Herzenberg of Stanford University was working on the development of an instrument to sort and analyze cells in the human immune system. Simultaneously, BD was focused on designing an instrument for blood cell counting. Taking advantage of similar interests, BD’s Bernard Shoor began collaborating with Dr. Herzenberg on the development of a commercial fluorescence activated cell sorter, which used laser light to visualize proteins on the outside of cells by marking them with a fluorescent dye- conjugated antibody. In 1973, BD brought to market the historic first unit, and one of the early prototypes is now at the Smithsonian Institution.

The BD FACSAria cell sorter is based on an entirely new design that offers high performance, increased operator productivity and lower cost of ownership.

     In the late 1970s, BD introduced the first two-laser, multi-color flow cytometry systems and entered the new field of monoclonal antibody development, enabling researchers to identify and study a wider range of cell types. In 1984, BD formed BD Immunocytometry Systems, now a unit of BD Biosciences, which continues as the leader in this market today.

     The first BD FACS machines were capable of identifying and counting up to 1,000 cells per second. Today, BD’s newest digital instruments can analyze up to 70,000 cells per second. With the BD FACSCalibur flow cytometer, BD introduced the first four-color, dual-laser benchtop system capable of both cell analysis and sorting. More recently, BD introduced the BD LSR II flow cytometer, the only four-laser benchtop system with the capability to analyze 20,000 cells per second and acquire 10 or more colors.

     Introduced in December 2002, the BD FACSAria cell sorter is expanding the market for cell sorting the way previous BD FACS systems broadened it for cell analysis. The BD FACSAria cell sorter is the first high-speed sorter to offer fixed optical alignment, making it easier to set up and use because the operator is freed from tedious instrument optimization–an attribute that is reflected in the musical term “aria,” meaning a striking solo performance. The BD FACSAria cell sorter is designed to be space-efficient and compact, and it can be installed in most laboratories without requiring special room modifications.

     The BD FACSAria cell sorter has been well-received by the marketplace. Its ease of operation, small size and adaptability to a variety of operating environments are attracting customers who previously dedicated one sorter to multiple departments.