Sample interview questions: How do you handle challenges related to the standardization and reproducibility of flow cytometry experiments?
Sample answer:
- Establish clear and detailed protocols: Define all experimental parameters, including sample preparation, staining conditions, and flow cytometer settings. Adhere strictly to the protocols to ensure consistency.
- Use standardized reagents and antibodies: Employ reagents from reputable suppliers with proven performance and lot-to-lot consistency. Validate new antibodies before use and maintain a record of their specifications.
- Calibrate and maintain flow cytometers regularly: Perform daily quality control checks to ensure optimal instrument performance. Calibrate flow cytometers using standardized beads or cells to establish consistent signal detection.
- Use appropriate controls: Include positive and negative controls in every experiment to account for background signals and nonspecific antibody binding. Consider using internal controls to normalize data between samples.
- Optimize staining and gating strategies: Determine the optimal staining panel and gating parameters based on the target population and hypothesis being tested. Validate the gating strategy using well-characterized… Read full answer