Imaging Flow Cytometry Instrument

流式细胞术和显微术在分子科学研究中起着不可或缺的作用。流式细胞术用于在几秒钟的时间尺度内检测和测量数千个细胞或颗粒的荧光标记特征；显微镜是用来观察肉眼看不见的细胞和粒子的。成像流式细胞仪结合了这两种技术，能够快速可视化数千个细胞，可用于量化亚细胞特征，消除了单独技术的局限性。这种综合技术开辟了广泛的新应用领域。在华威大学，我们拥有世界一流的研究，为我们的经济和健康的未来做出了积极贡献。我们将使用该仪器进行广泛的研究，从细胞如何工作的基本原理和支撑基因表达的机制，到了解植物的繁殖和提高作物产量。在机制层面上，我们将提高对许多领域的理解，包括免疫系统、细胞群异质性、与怀孕有关的基因以及支撑抗生素耐药性的过程。我们要求为Amnis ImageStreamX Mk II提供资金，因为它具有多功能性，可以在广泛的研究领域支持前沿科学。例如，可用的放大倍数范围将确保我们能够分析各种预期的样品大小（纳米颗粒、酵母、细菌、哺乳动物和植物细胞）。该仪器还可以以高达每秒5000个细胞的速度提供每个细胞多达12个图像（荧光，明场和暗场）。这将确保该仪器具有广泛应用范围的灵活性。该仪器将在华威大学流式细胞术共享资源实验室建立，由两名研究技术专业人员管理和支持。这种环境将确保仪器得到良好的维护和支持。技术小组将提供培训、管理和财务监督，并将确保该工具的使用纳入可持续性做法，例如能源和消耗品的使用。该仪器将供大学内部和外部的广泛用户使用，从而提高国家的生物科学研究能力。

Flow cytometry and microscopy play an integral role in molecular science research. Flow cytometry is used to detect and measure fluorescently labelled characteristics of thousands of cells or particles over a timescale of seconds; microscopy is used to visualise cells and particles invisible to the eye on an individual basis. An imaging flow cytometer combines these two technologies, enabling fast visualisation of thousands of cells that can be used to quantify sub-cellular characteristics, removing the limitations of the separate techniques. This combined technology opens up an extensive range of novel applications.At the University of Warwick, we have world-class research making a positive contribution to the future of our economy and our health. We will use the instrument for a broad range of research, from the fundamentals of how cells work and the mechanisms underpinning gene expression, to understanding reproduction in plants and improved crop yields. At a mechanistic level, we will improve our understanding in many areas, including the immune system, cell population heterogeneity, the genes involved in pregnancy, and processes underpinning antibiotic resistance.We request funds for an Amnis ImageStreamX Mk II because it has the versatility to support cutting edge science in a broad range of research areas. For example, the range of magnifications available will ensure that we can analyse the variety of sample sizes anticipated (nanoparticles, yeast, bacteria, mammalian and plant cells). The instrument can also deliver up to 12 images (fluorescence, brightfield and darkfield) of every cell with speeds of up to 5000 cells per second. This will ensure that the instrument has the flexibility for an extensive range of applications.The instrument will be established in the University of Warwick's Flow Cytometry Shared Resource laboratory, where it will be managed and supported by two research technical professionals. This environment will ensure that the instrument is well maintained and supported. The technical team will provide training, management and financial oversight and will ensure that use of the instrument incorporates sustainability practices, such as energy and consumable use. The instrument will be accessible to a wide userbase, both internal and external to the University, enhancing the bioscience research capabilities nationally.