Unleashing Spectral Power: Agilent NovoCyte Opteon Arrives in ANZ

Spectral flow cytometry continues to transform single-cell research – and now, for the first time, laboratories in Australia and New Zealand can experience the Agilent NovoCyte Opteon first hand.

Launched globally at CYTO 2024, the NovoCyte Opteon has already earned international recognition, taking home the Select Science Scientist’s Choice Award for “Best New Drug Discovery & Development Product of 2024.” With up to five lasers, 73 detectors, and cutting-edge optical engineering, this system represents the next generation of high-dimensional cytometry – and it’s now available for demo in ANZ.

Unlike conventional cytometry, the NovoCyte Opteon captures the full emission spectra of each fluorochrome across all lasers. This approach allows for greater panel flexibility, more accurate unmixing, and cleaner resolution of overlapping signals – ideal for complex immunophenotyping studies.

Traditional flow cytometry detects fluorescence using individual optical filters for each fluorochrome, limiting panel size and often causing signal overlap.
Spectral flow cytometry – like the Agilent NovoCyte Opteon – captures the entire emission spectrum from every fluorochrome across all lasers.
This enables:

• Greater panel flexibility with more markers in a single run

• Improved accuracy through spectral unmixing of overlapping signals

• Cleaner data by accounting for autofluorescence as a separate spectral component

The result is a more powerful, precise, and reproducible analysis – ideal for complex immunophenotyping and high-dimensional research.

Researchers can choose 3-, 4-, or 5-laser configurations, with the flagship system spanning UV, Violet, Blue, Yellow/Green, and Red lasers – and up to 73 detectors. Agilent’s proprietary optics and electronics maximise sensitivity and spectral separation, ensuring high-quality data.

It boasts a wide dynamic range both for fluorescence and scatter (size) detection, reducing the need for frequent detector adjustments.

Dual-laser small particle detection (using 405 nm and 488 nm SSC) enables detection of particles down to ~80 nm without needing separate adjustments between cell and particle modes.

Also, the instrument supports autofluorescence subtraction (i.e. treating autofluorescence as a spectral component), which helps resolve dim populations more clearly.

To maintain performance in variable lab environments, the NovoCyte Opteon integrates on-board temperature control, fluidics monitoring, electronics sensor circuits, and real-time instrument status feedback.

It’s compatible with the NovoSampler S, accepting 40-tube racks and microplates (384/96/48/24), and is ready for robotic automation. Calibration is automated, with templates for labware types saved for reproducibility. Carryover is minimal (< 0.1 %) via rinse cycles.

Agilent’s NovoExpress (Opteon) software version 2.0+ underpins the acquisition, unmixing, analysis, and reporting workflow. They’ve enhanced the user interface with an “unmixing” tab, streamlining spectral unmixing steps. The software supports both real-time acquisition and downstream “offline” analyses.

The arrival of the Agilent NovoCyte Opteon in the ANZ region marks a real milestone for spectral flow cytometry. Local researchers now have access to one of the most advanced, award-winning platforms available – combining powerful optics, automation readiness, and Agilent’s renowned reliability, all supported locally by Millennium Science.

If you’re interested in demoing the award-winning NovoCyte Opteon Spectral Flow Cytometer, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to arrange a hands-on session and see what spectral flow can really do for your research.

And if you’re attending CYTO-Connect (Perth, November 27-29, 2025), come and say hello – we’ll be there showcasing the Opteon and chatting all things spectral!

If you’re interested in a demo of the Opteon, contact us today!

Until next time… happy experimenting!