Ask AI: in short why is mouse IgG1 needed in flow cytometer experiment when identifying the number of cells in the R2 population that express IL-4?

Mouse IgG1 is often used as an isotype control in flow cytometry experiments to help researchers distinguish specific staining from non-specific binding of antibodies. In your particular experiment, adding mouse IgG1 allows the researcher to determine the baseline level of non-specific binding in the sample. By comparing the staining with the IL-4 antibody to the staining with mouse IgG1, the researcher can determine the number of cells in the R2 population that actually express IL-4, and distinguish them from any cells that may be staining non-specifically.