The process starts with the labeling of cells using antibodies conjugated with rare metal isotopes. These labeled cells are then introduced into a mass cytometer, where they are atomized and ionized. The ions are separated based on their mass-to-charge ratios and quantified. Unlike traditional flow cytometry, which uses fluorophores, CyTOF measures elemental tags, significantly reducing signal overlap and allowing for the simultaneous analysis of up to 40 or more parameters.
