Flow Cytometer for Advanced Cell marker Analysis

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As cells develop and grow, they express different proteins that perform the functions required for life. For instance, cell development from one cell fate (such as a bone marrow stem cell) to another (such as an immunity-providing T cell) is concomitant with an increase in proteins known as cell markers of the new fate. Cell markers have been described for diverse cell fates, including those on specific organs (like liver or brain cells), diseases (such as cancer or arthritis), or stages of the cell cycle (actively replicating or dying). To perform analyses of cell marker expression, one requires the ability to separate a complex mixture of cells and probe each cell for the presence or absence of specific markers. This is best accomplished with the use of flow cytometry. Flow cytometry is an advanced technique used to detect and measure the presence of cell markers on individual cells, collecting information about the markers present on individual cells within populations of millions of cells. The observations captured by a flow cytometer give an accurate and detailed picture of the health, development, and functional states of complex mixtures of cells. At the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto, we use flow cytometry to help us characterize several cells, in particular, blood cells, liver cells, and brain cells, to better understand cell function that may translate to human health and disease. Currently, 10 different labs within our Faculty rely on a flow cytometer to advance their biology and biotechnology research. This research powers new insights into brain development, the control of drug and nutrient transporters, how diabetes impacts cell behaviours, and so much more. Flow cytometry is a powerful and unique technique considered the gold standard for cell marker analysis. As such, it plays a crucial role in our research and our highly qualified personnel training. Opportunities to train our students on a flow cytometer open our trainees to competitive future jobs such as scientist roles in biotech companies, product development and training specialists, researchers in academic and diagnostic facilities, and academic roles such as professors or lab course instructors. This training will enrich Canada's scientific talent and keep our students and industries globally competitive. Our existing flow cytometer has reached the end of its useful lifetime and must be replaced. Without a replacement purchased soon, our research will be sidelined since external, pay-for-use facilities are outside the scope of our research budgets. The purchase of a replacement flow cytometer will allow us to continue our important work and train the next generation of Canadian cell biologists.