ACQUISITION OF A SINGLE CELL MASS CYTOMETER (CYTOF)

描述(申请人提供)：质量细胞术是一种新技术，它融合了流式细胞术和质谱学的各个方面，从而使仅靠这两种技术中的任何一种都不可行的研究成为可能。这种方法使用元素质量抗体标签，而不是荧光团，并且由于每个元素质量通道是不同的，不需要信号补偿。重要的是，保留了流式细胞术的单细胞分辨率，从而允许在初级血液或骨髓样本中描绘复杂的细胞亚群。目前，这项技术可以同时测量~32个参数，随着进一步的发展，有可能达到50-100个标记。这种方法需要使用专门为这种分析设计的专用仪器(CyTOF)。目前，华盛顿大学或周边地区还没有类似的仪器。收购CyTOF将使华盛顿大学至少13名由NIH资助的研究人员能够进行将改变造血发展、干细胞生物学和肿瘤免疫学领域的研究。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Mass cytometry is a novel technology that merges aspects of flow cytometry with mass spectrometry, thereby enabling studies that would not be feasible with either technology alone. This approach utilizes elemental mass antibody tags, rather than fluorophores, and as each elemental mass channel is distinct, no signal compensation is required. Importantly, the single cell resolution of flow cytometry is retained, thus permitting the delineation of complex cell subsets within primary blood or bone marrow samples. Presently, ~32 parameters can be measured simultaneously with this technology, and with further development, up to 50-100 markers is likely. This approach requires the use of a specialized instrument (CyTOF) designed specifically for this analysis. There are currently no similar instruments available at Washington University or the surrounding vicinity. Acquisition of a CyTOF will enable at least 13 NIH-funded investigators at Washington University to conduct studies that will transform the fields of hematopoietic development, stem cell biology, and tumor immunology.