Next Generation Flow Cytometry: Establishing Spectral Flow Cytometry to Revolutionise High Dimensional Analysis in Animal Models and Patient Cohorts

Our bodies are composed of lots of different types of cells that perform different functions. If these cells don't interact properly this can lead to disease. Understanding how cell interactions go wrong is important to understand all human diseases. The purpose of this application is to buy a new machine, a spectral flow cytometer, that allows us to look at how lots of cells are acting simultaneously. This machine will be accessible to all researchers at The University of Manchester through the Flow Cytometry Facility. A spectral flow cytometer is a new type of technology that allows more characteristics and functions of each cell to be measured at the same time than was previously possible (67 characteristics/functions). Individual cells from the blood or from tissues, such as the lung, run through the flow cytometer suspended in liquid very rapidly allowing for information on millions of cells to acquired in a matter of minutes. Researchers across the University will use the machine to understand how cells go wrong in inflammatory diseases and infections and how drugs might be used to target specific immune cell populations.

The purpose of this application is to purchase a spectral flow cytometer. Spectral flow cytometers are a new type of flow cytometry that allow large numbers of functional and phenotypic characteristics of cells to be measured simultaneously (up to 67 characteristics). They are also more sensitive to conventional flow cytometers as they are able better remove autofluorescence from individual cell populations. The consortium involved in establishing this technology at The University of Manchester will utilise the unique capabilities of this machine to gain insight in three key areas of relevance across many diseases: 1) Develop bespoke panels of up to 64 markers, particularly for detailed immunophenotyping of precious small human samples e.g. synovial biopsies; 2) Utilise the capability of spectral flow cytometry to remove cell autofluorescence to study challenging highly autofluorescent cell populations e.g. tissue-resident macrophages and 3) Combine high dimensional immunophenotyping with functional and metabolic analysis to study diverse cells from complex tissue environments simultaneously.