OMIP (Optimized Multicolor Immunofluorescence Panel)
OMIP is a publication format in Cytometry Part A, introduced in 2010 by M. Roederer, for the peer-reviewed dissemination of optimized multicolor reagent panels used to assess cellular phenotype or function. Typically presented as a brief article with supplementary material, an OMIP describes the panel’s intended application, optimization, reagent composition, and gating strategy. This format enables other laboratories to reproduce or adapt validated panels while reducing the time and effort required for assay development. To date, over 100 OMIPs have been published, encompassing conventional, spectral, and mass cytometry across human, murine, nonhuman primate, and other species.
Phenotypic Reports
The Phenotype Report is a mini-review format introduced in Cytometry Part A in 2019 by G. Del Zottoa and F. Preijers, to complement OMIPs by explaining the biological rationale for marker selection. Whereas OMIPs present optimized panels for specific applications, Phenotype Reports focus on a single cell population within a defined species and tissue context. They summarize the currently accepted marker set for identifying that population, justify clone and conjugate selection, and outline recommended gating strategies. The format was developed in response to a common limitation in multicolor cytometry literature, including OMIPs: the frequent absence of an explicit explanation for why particular marker combinations are chosen. Phenotype Reports therefore provide practical immunophenotypic guidance, especially for researchers entering a new field or working in less well-characterized species.