BD Biosciences Unveils a New Path to Discovery at CYTO2025
A game-changing spectral cell analyzer with real-time imaging capabilities
July 02, 2025
The annual meeting of the International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry (CYTO) is a premier venue for showcasing breakthroughs in cytometry. At CYTO2025, held in vibrant Denver, Colorado, innovation took center stage—making it the perfect place for BD Biosciences to unveil its latest advancement. The key topic featured in many discussions was the ability to image cells in real-time improving the quality of conclusions from traditional flow cytometry data. Therefore, the launch of the BD FACSDiscover™ A8 Cell Analyzer, which combines both spectral flow cytometry and real-time imaging capabilities in one instruments was very timely. The response from the flow cytometry community was overwhelmingly positive with many researchers referencing BD technologies and products in their presentations, underscoring the company’s growing impact on the field.
Power what matters to you
At Booth #615, BD Biosciences showcased a powerful lineup of tools designed to expand the possibilities of cellular analysis. This year’s theme focused on how BD can support researchers in what matters to them. The booth was a popular destination with attendees eager to get a glimpse of the BD FACSDiscover(TM) A8, the world’s first spectral cell analyzer with real-time imaging capabilities. However, BD also stood out with the breadth of product solutions including the BD FACSDiscover™ S8 Cell Analyzer, BD Horizon™ RealYellow and RealBlue Reagents, the new FlowJo™ v11 Software and a complete portfolio of easy-to-use tools that lower the cost and complexity of multiomics.
Attendees took advantage of BD experts in-booth to discuss how real-time imaging works at our whiteboard tables.
Defining the future of cellular analysis
Fifty years after BD Biosciences made fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) technology commercially available, the company continues to lead innovation in the field. At CYTO2025, BD commercial tutorials focused on the latest BD innovations that are charting the course of flow cytometry. During the first tutorial, BD leadership and scientists introduced the BD FACSDiscover™ A8 Cell Analyzer, a game changing analyzer that enables high-parameter immunophenotyping with BD SpectralFX™ Technology and BD CellView™ Image Technology. The tutorial demonstrated how these innovations enable unique applications and unparalleled experimental power and featured Dr. Florian Mair of ETH Zurich, who shared his early access insights. The audience was captivated by the potential of this integrated approach.
In the second tutorial, all the diehard FlowJo fans were treated to a live demo of the brand new FlowJo™ Software Version 11.0. John Quinn introduced the redesigned platform highlighting its comprehensive toolbox for single-cell flow cytometry data analysis. The new version features a streamlined sample hierarchy, a Metadata Manager, and built-in quality controls, offering both manual and automated methods to enhance analysis power. This update promises to elevate flow cytometry data analysis to new heights.
Innovate, Collaborate, Discover!
CYTO meetings are known for fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among scientists—and this year’s BD FACSDiscover™ Platform User Group Meeting was no exception. The event brought together a diverse group of researchers: experienced users of the BD FACSDiscover™ S8 Cell Sorter, early adopters of the BD FACSDiscover™ A8 Analyzer, and newcomers exploring the platform for the first time.
Attendees heard firsthand how these instruments are helping scientists overcome longstanding challenges in cytometry. Experts such as Dr. Rui Gardner (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) and Dr. Benjamin Daniel (Regeneron Pharmaceuticals) shared real-world data and insights, showcasing how the BD FACSDiscover™ Platform helped advance their research. Some key points they highlighted included the ability to visually confirm sample quality and the gating accuracy of both analysis and sorting rendered by the BD CellView™ Technology. They also emphasized on the deeper insights into cell populations and subsets they could obtain by combining spectral flow cytometry with morphological and spatial signal distribution for sub-cellular resolution. tutorials, the company delivered on its promise to empower discovery.
The excitement from the audience was palpable as evidenced by the packed product demonstration sessions. The BD FACSDiscover™ A8 Cell Analyzer drew exceptional interest, with BD scientists conducting back-to-back demonstrations. The live demos showcased the analyzer’s ability to expand measurable parameters, support high-throughput workflows, and integrate complex panels with ease.
Dedicated to empowering discovery
To complement these events, BD Biosciences presented 15 posters covering applications such as intracellular cytokine profiling, CITE-Seq for cost-effective single-cell studies and deep-learning-enabled phenotyping using BD CellView™ Image Technology.
Two posters were selected for oral presentation around label-free spectral flow cytometry and imaging using the BD FACSDiscover™ Platform and BD HotSpot Matrix.
CYTO2025 showcased the continued leadership of BD Biosciences in flow cytometry innovation. From groundbreaking instruments and high-performance fluorochromes to advanced software and insightful tutorials, the company delivered on its promise to empower discovery.
If you want to learn about these innovations and experience some of the content shared at CYTO, you can download posters and presentations on our event page.
