Our flow cytometry platform is focused on the application of cytometry methods to the characterization of immune cells. Our attempts are to stain the cells on the cell surface and intracellularly to depict the ones which are of interest for us. We have been able to establish antibody panels for human immune cells characterization using more than 20 fluorescence dyes simultaneously by means of our 3 laser CYTEK Aurora full spectrum flow cytometer. The advantage of this multicolour staining is that only very low sample volumes are needed. We are capable of sorting the cells of interest on our BioRad S3e Cell Sorter using up to 4 fluorescence channels. We are constantly improving our staining assays to depict the activation status of immune cells (including cytokine expression, transcription factors, mRNA expression and phospho-flow). We have established new methods to evaluate the influence of environmental chemicals and microorganisms like microbiota and viruses on the activation of certain types of immune cells including T helper cells such as regulatory T cells and cytotoxic T cells e.g. mucosal-associated invariant T cells. For data analysis and presentation, we use the professional software FlowJo and FlowLogic.
Since September 2021, the department also has a new CyTOF (SAB aid, Project no. 100588139) and Hyperion device from FLUIDIGM (Cytometry Time of Flight CyTOF/Hyperion Imaging System from Fluidigm). With the help of this novel and innovative imaging mass cytometry, we would like to examine immune cell profiles from cohort samples (e.g. mother-child cohorts), tissue samples (e.g. placenta) and organoids after exposure to environmental chemicals in a thorough and comprehensive manner. With this unique system, the smallest amounts of blood and tissue-specific cells can be characterized on the basis of many parameters (including signal transduction cascades). Also functional properties can be derived.
Photo: Beate Fink/UFZ
This measure is co-financed with tax revenues on the basis of the budget decided by the Saxon state parliament.
We have more than 15 years of experience using flow cytometry for different applications. Our platform is open for collaboration - we can find the staining solution to most immune cells. We like new challenges and we constantly develop our skills portfolio.
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