flowDiv

flowDiv analyzes flow cytometry (FCM) data to quantify and compare cytometric diversity across heterogeneous environmental samples.

Key Features:

• Cytometric diversity assessment: Evaluates differences between cytograms to quantify cytometric diversity.
• Integration of heterogeneous datasets: Integrates datasets acquired under varying conditions to handle heterogeneous environmental samples.
• Optimal bin determination: Determines an optimal number of bins for data analysis.
• Bin-to-population correlation: Correlates analytical bins to known cytometric populations.
• Implementation and theoretical framework: Implemented in R and combines formal mathematical solutions with biological rationale.

Scientific Applications:

• Environmental flow cytometry: Analyzing cytometric diversity in environmental samples, exemplified by application to 31 freshwater lakes in Patagonia, Argentina.
• Microbial community studies: Assessing microbial community structure and variation using FCM-derived cytograms.
• Comparative cytogram analysis: Enabling comparisons of cytograms across samples collected under different acquisition conditions.

Methodology:

Implemented in R; evaluates differences between cytograms, integrates datasets acquired under varying conditions, determines an optimal number of bins, and correlates bins to known cytometric populations using formal mathematical solutions combined with biological rationale.