Advancing the state-of-the-art using spectral flow cytometry

光谱细胞仪将推动伯明翰大学的几个研究项目超越最先进的水平，包括免疫系统如何应对各种挑战，如感染、癌症、疫苗和自身免疫（感染和免疫），以及将基础科学与临床相关方法相结合，以开发转化研究项目（转化研究）。我们的许多研究小组致力于解决全球健康问题，从不断扩大的人口老龄化到阻碍南部非洲健康和进步的危及生命的感染（全球健康）。在我们所有的研究主题中，他们团结一致，试图开发更严格和强大的方法来解决正在进行的研究问题。光谱细胞仪将帮助我们克服多种挑战，从减少测定变异性到消除混杂因素（如自体荧光）（更好的方法，更好的研究）。该光谱细胞仪还将为我们的MRC高级跨学科模型（AIM）博士课程提供最先进的技术。因此，光谱细胞仪将帮助我们在一些MRC优先领域推进我们的研究，超越最先进的水平。我们目前的细胞仪是工厂的主力机器，每台都满负荷运行。我们的细胞计数部门面临的主要问题之一是显著和不断增长的用户需求。造成这种情况的一个主要原因是，目前的技术实际上只能包含多达18个标记，这意味着必须拆分样本以运行所有参数。这对我们的研究人员的生产力产生了不利的影响，他们可能不得不等待预订空间可用，并且大量使用会对我们的机器造成压力。光谱流式细胞仪将显著减轻设备中的电流压力。这不仅可以通过提供新的细胞仪来实现，还可以在更短的时间内运行更复杂的样品（例如，更大的面板尺寸）。除了减轻我们现有设备的压力外，光谱细胞仪将使我们的研究所能够在mrc相关研究中发展新的研究优势，并支持癌症免疫学，炎症性关节炎和宿主-病原体相互作用的补充研究（由CRUK， Wellcome Trust， Kennedy Trust和BBSRC资助）。首席申请人Kai Toellner教授担任TechHub流式细胞术部门的学术领导5年，在流式细胞术和分析方面拥有相当的专业知识。Kai Toellner是B细胞和生发中心免疫学领域的世界级专家。研究团队由一个强大而多元化的Co-I团队组成，包括职业生涯早期到中期的研究人员（Drummond, bend, Long, Croft）和经验丰富的MRC项目资助研究人员（Moss, Anderson）。这些小组在MRC职权范围内的许多领域都有提供高质量和有影响力的科学的记录。

The spectral cytometer will advance several research programs at the University of Birmingham beyond the state-of-the-art, including how the immune system responds to diverse challenges such as infection, cancer, vaccines, and autoimmunity (Infections and Immunity), and blending fundamental basic science with clinically relevant approaches to develop translational research programs (Translational Research). Many of our research groups address global health problems, from an expanding ageing population to life-threatening infections that hinder health and progress in Southern Africa (Global Health). Across all our research themes, they are united in attempting to develop more stringent and powerful methodology to address ongoing research problems. There are multiple challenges that the spectral cytometer will help us overcome, from reducing assay variability to removing confounding factors such as autofluorescence (Better methods, better research). The spectral cytometer will also allow access to the state-of-the-art technology for our MRC Advanced-interdisciplinary models (AIM) PhD programme. A spectral cytometer will therefore help us advance our research beyond state-of-the-art in a number of MRC priority areas.Our current cytometers are the workhorse machines of the facility with each running at full capacity. One of the major issues our cytometry department faces is significant and rising user demand. A major reason for this is that the current technology can only practically incorporate up to 18 markers, meaning samples must be split to run all parameters. This has a detrimental impact on the productivity of our researchers who may have to wait for booking space to become available, and the heavy use places strain on our machines. A spectral flow cytometer will significantly alleviate current pressures in the facility. This is not only achieved by providing a new cytometer but provides the option of running more complex samples (e.g., greater panel size) in a shorter time frame. In addition to alleviating current pressures on our existing equipment, the spectral cytometer will enable our institute to develop new research strengths in our MRC-aligned research, as well as support complementary research in cancer immunology, inflammatory arthritis, and host-pathogen interaction (funded via CRUK, Wellcome Trust, Kennedy Trust and BBSRC).The lead applicant Prof Kai Toellner has served as academic lead for the TechHub flow cytometry unit for 5 years and has considerable expertise in flow cytometry and analysis. Kai Toellner is a world expert in B cell and germinal centre immunology. The investigator team comprises a strong and diverse group of Co-I's including early to mid-career researchers (Drummond, Bending, Long, Croft) and experienced MRC programme-level funded researchers (Moss, Anderson). These groups have a track record of delivering high quality and impactful science across many areas of the MRC remit.