Flow cytometry is a powerful analytical technique used to measure various cellular characteristics, including cell proliferation. This method allows for the rapid analysis of single cells in a mixed population, providing insights into cell cycle status, viability, and functional characteristics. In the context of cell proliferation, flow cytometry can assess how cells divide and respond to various stimuli, making it an essential tool in fields such as immunology, cancer research, and drug development.

This method allows researchers to measure the proliferation of cells by assessing DNA synthesis through the incorporation of thymidine analogs, such as bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) or 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), which label replicating DNA. Additionally, flow cytometry can utilize fluorescent dyes like carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) to track cell division over generations, as the dye is diluted with each division, allowing for the quantification of proliferative activity.

The versatility of flow cytometry in measuring both total and live cell numbers, along with its ability to analyze multiple parameters simultaneously, makes it an invaluable tool in cancer research, immunology, and drug development, where understanding cell proliferation is essential for evaluating therapeutic effects and cellular responses to treatments.