About CD163
The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) superfamily, and is exclusively expressed in monocytes and macrophages. It functions as an acute phase-regulated receptor involved in the clearance and endocytosis of hemoglobin/haptoglobin complexes by macrophages, and may thereby protect tissues from free hemoglobin-mediated oxidative damage. This protein may also function as an innate immune sensor for bacteria and inducer of local inflammation. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2011]

About RealBlue 780
BD Horizon RealBlue™ 780 (RB780) is part of BD's new product line of laser-specific fluorochromes which are designed to minimize cross laser excitaiton. This fluorochrome has a maximum excitation wavelength of 488nm and a maximum emission wavelength of 780nm. While RB780 is excited by the 488nm blue laser, it offers miminal cross-laser excitation off of the 561nm yellow/green laser. It is designed for use in Flow Cytometry and Spectral Flow Cytometry.