5-Laser Flow Cytometer

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 490988106

Autoimmune diseases of the kidneys (glomerulonephritides) result from a dysregulation of the immune system and lead to a pathological inflammatory reaction that can lead to an irreversible loss of organ function and life-threatening courses. Glomerulonephritis is a common cause of end stage renal diseases worldwide. The therapies available for this group of diseases are often empirical in nature, consisting of non-specific immunosuppression with often insufficient effectiveness and severe side effects. This problem can be explained by an insufficient understanding of immunopathogenesis.The characterisation of immune cells involved in the inflammatory process is crucial for a deeper understanding of renal autoimmune diseases and is also a central approach of SFB 1192 "Immune-Mediated Glomerular Disease". Flow cytometry is a crucial element for this because it can be used to identify different cell types and determine their activation and differentiation state using functional markers. Significant technical developments have been achieved in flow cytometry in recent years. As part of the DFG review and establishment of Clinical Research Group 228 "Glomerulonephritis" in 2009, an LSR II flow cytometer from BD was purchased for its research funding. This device has made a substantial contribution to the results of KFO 228 "Glomerulonephritis" (2009-2015) and the SFB 1192 (since 2016), which is based on it, documented in more than 50 publications. After more than 10 years of operation (at full capacity, i.e. 1000 - 1500 h/year), the LSR II has reached its "lifetime". Furthermore, the number of lasers and the resulting number of measurable fluorescence channels cannot be upgraded and do not meet today's requirements and possibilities. In addition, the LSR II will no longer be sold and the essential technical service for this class of device will be discontinued by BD in September 2021. Since flow cytometry will continue to be of utmost relevance for SFB 1192 in the future, a replacement purchase for the device is necessary.For the planned applications, a device of the upper performance class is required. Specifically, the device should have at least 20 measurement channels. Accordingly, the device should have 5 lasers or alternatively a light source with a continuous excitation spectrum covering a wide excitation range. In perspective, this also enables the use of newly developed dyes and thus increases the total number of measurable or combinable fluorescence channels. In perspective, a "state of the art" device allows efficient, long-term and flexible use for scientific questions.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: 5-Laser Durchflusszytometer
• Instrumentation Group: 3500 Zellzähl- und Klassiergeräte (außer Blutanalyse), Koloniezähler
• Applicant Institution: Universität Hamburg
• Leader: Professor Dr. Ulf Panzer