Often when trying to analyze DNA histograms, the use of simple region markers on the histogram is not adequate.  Especially if the DNA histogram exhibits a lot of debris from poor sample preparation and/or there are multiple DNA populations with different DNA content in the same histogram.  When these conditions arise, it is necessary to use a powerful mathematical model to remove the debris component and deconvolute the multiple peaks in the histogram.  The MultiCycle AV DNA analysis plug-in for FCS Express addresses this problem in a seamless manner.  The mathematical model of Dean and Jett, the gold standard, is used by the MultiCycle AV plug-in.  In addition, sophisticated debris subtraction models developed over the past decade by leaders in the field of cell cycle analysis, Rabinovitch & Bagwell, are applied to the debris component.  This results in accurate, simple to understand cell cycle results from even the most complicated DNA histogram.  

FCS Express is pleased to announce that De Novo Software has partnered with Phoenix Flow Systems and the University of Washington to combine the comprehensive DNA analysis capabilities of Multicycle AV™ with FCS Express. You can now obtain the best of both worlds: the ease of use, flexible data analysis and flexible reporting of FCS Express as well the complete suite of DNA modelling tools available in Multicycle.

The DNA fitting engine in Multicycle has been used for over a decade by researchers all over the world and is described in several publications:

• Dean P. and Jett J., Mathematical analysis of DNA distribution derived from flow micro-fluorimetry., Cell Biology 60: 523, 1974.
• Rabinovitch, P.S.  DNA content histogram and cell-cycle analysis.  Methods in Cell Biology. 41:263-296, 1994.
• Rabinovitch, P.S.  Practical considerations for DNA content and cell cycle analysis.  In:  Clinical Flow Cytometry:  Principles and Applications (Bauer, K.D., Duque, R.E., and Shankey, T.V., eds.)  Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, pp. 117‑142, 1992.
• Rabinovitch, P.S. DNA Histogram Analysis. In: Cell Growth and Division, 2nd Edition. (G. Studinski, ed.). Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1996.
• Kallioniemi, O-P., Visakorpi, T., Holli, K., Isola, J.J., and Rabinovitch, P.S.  Automated peak detection and cell cycle analysis of flow cytometric histograms.  Cytometry 16:250-255, 1994

Multicyle features many different features that optimize your DNA analysis:

• Multiple levels of automation, including manual, semi automated (autodetect number of cycles) and full automation (autofit) modes.
• Extremely convenient visualization of differences in fitting models, allowing comparison of appearance of the fitting result and their associated cell cycle statistics. This approach also allows intuitive and accurate assessment of the confidence of fitting parameters. The confidence estimation is based upon both the statistical confidence of a particular models and the variability in fitting results obtained by comparison of the six models automatically applied. 
• MultiCycle uses advanced and well documented methods of debris and aggregate software compensation, allowing the most accurate results over a broad range of sample quality and preparation methods. 
• MultiCycle provides a full spectrum of cell cycle statistical output that may be incorporated into your report generation, including simple and clear summary, interpretation and confidence statements.
  

And since Multicycle is integrated directly with FCS Express, all the features that you expect from FCS Express are available with your DNA analysis: reporting, tokens, batch processing, PowerPoint presentations and much more.

You can try the combination of Multicycle and FCS Express yourself for 30 days.

You can download a free, 30-day demo version of Multicycle from our web site. Please make sure that you have the latest version of FCS Express installed, available from our upgrades page. The newest version of FCS Express will automatically detect when you have Multicycle installed and will make it available from the Insert menu and Insertable Objects toolbar.

If you are not a current FCS Express customer, please download download the free 30-day FCS Express demo first, and then download the Multicycle Plug-in demo.