A flow cytometry facility to study brain processes and neuro-immune interactions

这个应用程序是为一台流式细胞仪申请资金。流式细胞术是在异质细胞群体和复杂样本中进行各种测量的首选方法，因为它允许在单细胞水平上识别特征和身份。我们希望将这项技术应用于我们研究计划的各个方面。旨在破译大脑功能以及大脑与其他生理系统(例如免疫系统)之间的相互作用的研究，对于理解精神和神经疾病至关重要。由于涉及到高度复杂的过程，因此需要准确而有效的方法来监控细胞功能。特别是，人们需要评估不同组织在不同病理条件下的基因表达和细胞组成，以及对药物和感染的反应。使用本申请中要求的流式细胞仪进行的研究将有助于更好地了解大脑的工作原理，包括生物计时、学习和记忆、大脑发育和精神障碍的机制。获得这种设备的另一个好处是改善对研究生和博士后研究员的培训：流式细胞仪技术的使用将成为他们多样化神经科学培训的重要组成部分。

This application is to request funding for a flow cytometer. Flow cytometry is the method of choice for a variety of measures to be done in heterogenous cell populations and complex samples, because it allows identifying characteristics and identity at the single-cell level. We wish to apply this technique to various aspects of our research programs. Research aimed at deciphering brain function, and cross-talk between the brain and other physiological systems (e.g. the immune system), is critical for understanding mental and neurological disorders. Since highly complex processes are involved, accurate and efficient ways of monitoring cell functions are needed. In particular, one needs to assess gene expression and cell composition in different tissues under various pathological conditions, as well as in response to drugs and infection. The research performed using the flow cytometer requested in this application will lead to a better understanding of how brain works, including biological timing, learning and memory, brain development, and mechanisms of psychiatric disorders. Another benefit of acquiring this equipment will be improved training of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows: the use of the flow cytometry technology will constitute an important part of their diversified training in neuroscience.