Flow Cytometry in Microbiology: A Review of the Current State in Microbiome Research, Probiotics, and Industrial Manufacturing

Abstract

Flow cytometry (FC) is a versatile and powerful tool in microbiology, enabling precise analysis of single cells for a variety of applications, including the detection and quantification of bacteria, viruses, fungi, as well as algae, phytoplankton, and parasites. Its utility in assessing cell viability, metabolic activity, immune responses, and pathogen-host interactions makes it indispensable in both research and diagnostics. The analysis of microbiota (community of microorganisms) and microbiome (collective genomes of the microorganisms) has become essential for understanding the intricate role of microbial communities in health, disease, and physiological functions. FC offers a promising complement, providing rapid, cost-effective, and dynamic profiling of microbial communities, with the added ability to isolate and sort bacterial populations for further analysis. In the probiotic industry, FC facilitates fast, affordable, and versatile analyses, helping assess both probiotics and postbiotics. It also supports the study of bacterial viability under stress conditions, including gastric acid and bile, improving insight into probiotic survival and adhesion to the intestinal mucosa. Additionally, the integration of Machine Learning in microbiology research has transformative potential, improving data analysis and supporting advances in personalized medicine and probiotic formulations. Despite the need for further standardization, FC continues to evolve as a key tool in modern microbiology and clinical diagnostics.