Fluorescence lifetime‐based discrimination and quantification of cellular DNA and RNA with phase‐sensitive flow cytometry

Abstract

The lifetimes of the nucleic acid-binding fluorochromes were altered when binding to different macromolecules under different conditions. Phase-sensitive flow cytometry provided a unique means for simultaneous discrimination and quantification of subcellular macromolecules with one fluorescent probe. The data demonstrated the capabilities for resolving relative cellular DNA and RNA contents based on fluorescence lifetime.