What is the consequence of selecting the wrong gate when counting cells by flow cytometry?

Selecting the wrong gate when counting cells by flow cytometry leads to the failure to count the desired cell population because gating determines which cells will be analyzed based on specific parameters, such as size or fluorescence intensity. Proper gating is crucial for isolating the cells of interest from other populations present in the sample. If the gate is incorrectly set, it may include irrelevant cells or exclude the target cells entirely. This results in an inaccurate representation of the population being studied, making it impossible to assess the true characteristics or quantities of the desired cell type in the sample. Proper gating is essential for obtaining reliable and valid results in flow cytometry analysis.