Upgrade for fluorescence activated cell sorter

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In this grant application, we are requesting an upgrade to a sophisticated instrument known as a ‘fluorescence-activated cell sorter’. We are requesting two additional lasers that will increase the capability of this machine from detecting 6 fluorescent markers to detecting 13. This will greatly enhance its ability to identify rare cells from complex mixtures of cells. For example, it will now be possible to identify rare immune cell populations from the blood and tissues, and will allow the detection of uniquely fluorescent microbes or fluorescently labeled cells from complex mixtures of over 200 million cells. This upgrade is a much-needed feature that will benefit researchers in immunology, stem cell biology, microbiology, chemical enzymology and biological engineering. In addition, these 2 lasers provide the unique ability to measure violet-activated fluorescent probes and red fluorescent proteins that are increasingly used by researchers to label cells. This upgrade will provide a cutting edge cell sorter capable of high throughput sorting of multi-fluorescent samples and will be housed in the University’s Flow Cytometry Facility, accessible to all researchers. The facility provides training, support and expertise that enables researchers to sort samples and develop new innovative applications. For example, the upgraded instrument will be used in genetic screens to identify and isolate rare mutations in bacteria. It will enable immunologists to better understand the mechanisms immune cells employ in response to pathogens, and enable virologists better understand host-pathogen interactions. It will help lead to the optimization of large batch growth conditions required for the development of mammalian stem cells as new biologics, assist in the directed evolution of improved enzymes that provide new catalysts for industrial processes and contribute to the development of new therapeutics. The upgraded instrument will help increase our knowledge of microbial communities in unexplored ecosystems, provide new insights into genetic exchange in bacteria and nutrient induced gene regulation in yeast. It will help provide new insights into genetic imprinting in embryos. This upgraded instrument will thus enhance several research programs and will enable new scientific innovations and advances, all of which will ultimately benefit Canadians. It will help increase knowledge in many areas of biology, fuel innovative discoveries in biotechnology and create new industrial and medical applications. It will also enhance the training and technological capabilities of the many highly qualified personnel associated with our research programs.