What does applying gates to density plots help to achieve?

Applying gates to density plots is an essential technique in flow cytometry that helps to exclude unwanted populations, such as cellular debris or non-specific events, from the analysis. By carefully setting gates, researchers can define specific regions of interest that contain the populations of interest based on their fluorescence intensity and side or forward scatter characteristics. This selection process enhances the clarity and accuracy of the data by allowing for a more focused analysis on the relevant cell populations.

In practical terms, when analyzing cell samples, there might be a mixture of viable cells, dead cells, and various debris present in the sample. Without proper gating, these unwanted elements could distort the results, leading to incorrect interpretations regarding cell populations and their characteristics. Therefore, correct application of gates is crucial for ensuring that only the relevant data representing the target cell populations is included in subsequent analyses, facilitating more accurate conclusions in research or clinical applications.