Project Details
Projekt
Analytical flow-cytometer
Subject Area
Medicine
Term
Funded in 2021
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 496747271
Knowledge on the immunological control of infectious diseases, tumors or rejection reactions after transplantation require a detailed characterization of cells of the immune system in healthy individuals and patients in different phases of the disease. Cells of the immune system are characterized by typical phenotypical and functional properties that differ during the maturation of the immune response and in different phases of disease. Against this background, detailed characterization of cells by multiparameter analysis of surface molecules and functional parameters leads to an improved understanding of immunological regulatory mechanisms. The research activities of the main applicant deal with the investigation of the immunological basis of the increased susceptibility to infections in immunosuppressed patients. In addition, immune responses to vaccination, mechanistic basis of rejection reactions and immune responses in tumor patients are investigated. This will provide valuable insights into the early identification of patients at risk, the prevention of infections and the control of therapy with antiviral or immunomodulatory drugs. Since cells of the immune system can also change their localization depending on the phase of the disease, not only the analysis of cells from peripheral blood, but also of cells from extrasanguineous fluids (such as cerebrospinal fluid, bronchial lavage or pleural fluid) or cells from tissues is of high relevance. This requires methods that ensure maximum insight from in part very limited sample materials. Analytical flow cytometry is the central "state of the art" method of an immunological research laboratory. It allows simultaneous analysis of a variety of parameters on the cell surface and inside the cell at the single cell level, providing information on both differentiation status and functionality. We apply for a replacement of an analytical flow cytometry instrument, which was purchased in 2009. Due to its age, the previously used flow-cytometer with a 3-laser equipment is to be replaced by a more modern 4-laser flow-cytometer, which allows an extension of the spectrum of simultaneously detectable parameters from currently 8 to 16. The newly requested flow-cytometer is one of the current standard research flow-cytometer, which takes into account the technical developments in the field of flow cytometry in recent years and the future need for more comprehensive multiparameter analyses. Due to the extended performance spectrum, the instrument thus represents a promising acquisition that fully meets the current requirements and ensures the further expansion of research at a top international level.
DFG Programme
Major Research Instrumentation
Major Instrumentation
Analytisches Durchflusszytometriegerät
Instrumentation Group
3500 Zellzähl- und Klassiergeräte (außer Blutanalyse), Koloniezähler
Applicant Institution
Universität des Saarlandes
