Flow Cytometer for Muscle Health Research

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******Flow Cytometry is a method which allows the researcher to examine the biochemical properties of individual cells, or organelles derived from cells, using fluorescent labeling techniques. It relies on the use of lasers which produce different wavelengths which can be used to excite and detect molecules within those cells or organelles. In this application, I am requesting funds to acquire only the third such equipment system on the entire York campus, and to replace my obsolete system which served us well in the past, but which now costs more to maintain than to use, and is now not operational. My trainees and colleagues will continue to use flow cytometry to analyze the biochemical properties of muscle cells in their immature (Myoblasts) and mature state (myotubes), as well as the characteristics of skin fibroblasts from healthy controls as well as mitochondrial myopathy patients. We also use flow cytometry to analyze the function of isolated mitochondria and mitochondrial phospholipids (eg. Cardiolipin) from healthy and exercised animal models, to support to support our NSERC Discovery grant objectives. Acquisition of this new equipment is absolutely essential for us to progress in achieving our NSERC DG research goals. A delay in its acquisition will have a significant impact on our progress, since we are waiting for a replacement. In addition, this equipment will have a significant impact on the training of HQP. My laboratory is in high demand for MSc, PhD and post-doctoral opportunities, and I currently have 12 trainees on a yearly basis. The flow cytometry system will allow me to train these HQP in marketable, sophisticated and up-to-date technology, which will serve them well in academic and other research and analysis settings. In addition, as the Director of the Muscle Health Research Centre (MHRC), I am also submitting this application to help support the >30 other faculty members in the Department of Biology, the School of Kinesiology and Health Science, and the MHRC, with the goal of increasing our currently very limited capacity for cellular analyses using this important methodology at York University. **