Comparison of features of mass cytometry and flow cytometry
| Feature | Flow Cytometry | Mass Cytometry |
|---|---|---|
| No. of biomeasures that can be multiplexed | 3–18 Parameters | Up to 40 parameters (the instrument is capable of multiplexing 100 biomeasures) |
| Compensation | Fluorescence compensation absolutely required | No fluorescence-style compensation required. However, correction for isotopic impurities in metal tags and oxides is needed |
| Status of cells | Both live and fixed cells can be analyzed | Cells are required to be fixed prior to analysis |
| Cell sorting | Yes (in sorters) | No |
| Efficiency of analysis of injected samples | >95% | 30–40% of injected cells are analyzed |
| Speed of acquisition | Up to 60,000 cells/s | Up to 1000 cells/s |
| High-throughput compatible | Yes (with a 96-well format) | Yes (with a 96-well format) |