FlowJo tries to determine which parameter contains the DNA quantitation
information; if it chooses the wrong one, select the correct one
from the X-axis popup menu. The cell cycle window displays the histogram
graph of the chosen parameter with analysis performed according
to default fitting model.
When you click on "Models" disclosure triangle, FlowJo
presents you with all the options for the fitting and analysis of
your cell cycle data. For more info, also see the document on the
Cell Cycle Platform window.
Once FlowJo has computed the model, it displays the fit along with
statistical data in the Cell Cycle window, such as that shown below.

FAQ: Whats the difference between Watson
and Dean-Jett-Fox models?
The Watson model makes no assumptions about the shape of
the S-Phase distribution; it (by definition) fits the S-phase
exactly. The DJF model assumes that the S-phase is can be modeled
by a second degree polynomial (that is convoluted with gaussian
distributions of varying width throughout S-phase). You can also
choose to have a synchronized peak within the S-phase as an option
to this model.
The statistics displayed in the text annotation will
depend on which model and options are computed, but all will include
basic statistics such as the fraction of cells in G1, S, and G2,
the positions of the G1 and G2 peaks (and their widths), and the
number of cells below G1 and above G2. In addition, the RMS (root
mean square) error of the fit is displayed in the first row. If
you change the fitting criteria, you may wish to minimize the
RMS value as a way to optimize the fit. If FlowJo fails to fit
the model(s) to the data, then it will display "Invalid"
in the RMS field. In this case, you will want to help FlowJo fit
the data by manually editing the curves. See the "hints"
page for ideas on how to proceed.
Cell cycle analyses can be copied between subsets
and between samples, and even to groups, just like every other
analysis in FlowJo. In this fashion, you can compute Cell Cycle
analyses on every sample in an experiment. In general, you will
begin by analyzing a control sample, and use this control sample
to define ranges for G1 and G2. If you have unusual distributions,
constraining the fit by these ranges will help FlowJo determine
the proper distribution of cells. Once you have defined the ranges
and the fit, drag the analysis to other samples (or the group).
You can drag Cell Cycle analyses to the Layout Editor
to generate reports that contain the graphs, the models, and the
statistics. You can also copy the table of statistics to the clipboard
by clicking on the edit menu and choosing "Copy Statistics"--and
then paste into any spreadsheet or word processor for further
analysis.
To learn more about applying specific models, view
the page on Fitting Cell Cycle Models.
You may also wish to view the page on hints
for performing Cell Cycle analyses.
Download a Cell Cycle Workspace with Demo Data to
try out this platform. [UNDER CONSTRUCTION]