Cell Marker Expression Tool

Understanding the expression patterns of cell surface markers is a critical step in effective flow cytometry panel design. Marker expression level, cellular distribution, and population specificity directly influence fluorophore selection and antibody titration, as highly expressed markers can tolerate dimmer fluorophores while low-abundance targets require brighter labels to ensure adequate resolution. Knowledge of whether a marker is broadly expressed or restricted to specific cell subsets helps minimize spillover and false positives, particularly in complex multicolor panels. Additionally, considering dynamic or activation-dependent expression, co-expression with other markers, and potential modulation during sample processing enables more accurate gating strategies and reproducible results. Incorporating marker biology into panel building ultimately improves sensitivity, reduces background, and ensures that collected data accurately reflect underlying cellular phenotypes.