Gate (cytometry)

A gate in cytometry is a set of value limits (boundaries) that serve to isolate a specific group of cytometric events from a large set.

Gates can be defined by discrimination analysis, or can simply be drawn around a given set of data points on a printout and then converted to a computer-useful form.

Gates can be implemented with a physical blinder.

Inclusive gates select data that falls within the limits set, while exclusive gates select data that falls outside the limits.

A live gate is a term used for a process that prevents the acquisition by the computer of non-selected data from the flow cytometer.