Imaging flow cytometry combines the single-cell imaging capabilities of microscopy with the high-throughput capabilities of conventional flow cytometry. This article describes recent imaging flow cytometry technologies and their challenges.

Detection of small molecules or proteins of living cells provides an exceptional opportunity to study genetic variations and functions, cellular behaviors, and various diseases including cancer and microbial infections. Our aim in this review is to give an overview of selected research activities related to nucleic acid-based aptamer techniques that have been reported in the past two decades. Limitations of aptamers and possible approaches to overcome these limitations are also discussed.