An automated cell counter for immunological studies

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The investigators from the Groupe de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses du Porc and the Groupe de recherche en médecine équine du Québec at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FVM), U. de Montréal, and the Faculty itself constitute a diversified group of fundamental immunobiology researchers and clinicians who share the same goal: to increase our knowledge on the mechanisms underlying diseases induced by prominent animal and zoonotic pathogens as well as immunological disorders such as asthma. The research aims to identify critical mechanisms of protective immunity against these pathogens and to help advance the development of novel vaccines, improved immunotherapies and diagnostic tools. Our research involves divergent but inter-connected disciplines, such as molecular biology, host-pathogen interactions, basic immunology and bacterial pathogenesis. Our research approaches require analysis of cellular responses of specific cell types from diverse hosts (mouse, humans, horses and pigs), for studying biological processes experienced by these cells when facing pathogens or under stress. Many cell types, such as dendritic cells and NK cells are recovered at low numbers from tissues (especially in the case of mouse work) and the preservation of their viability during experimental manipulations is key for a successful experiment. An automated cell counter, which can generate cell counts, size measurements, and concentration calculations in approximately 30 seconds, allows the generation of data many times faster than manual counting. Thus, high level of repeatability, accuracy and speed are combined to improve the yield and half-life of our cell preparations. Minimal sample amounts are used for counting to a total number much higher than hand-count, thus reducing counting error and, more importantly, the amount of cellular material required. Viability and heterogeneous cell analysis can also be performed. This technology represents an advantageous tool for achieving our research goals, and will greatly contribute to attain a major aim recently fixed by our group: to centralize at the FMV a unique porcine immunological tool bank to support national and international collaborations.