Spectral 6-Laser Flow Cytometer

• Subject Area: Neurosciences ; Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 551550001

At the Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University (HHU) and the University Hospital Düsseldorf (UKD), the investigation of immunological and inflammatory processes in the context of various diseases is a central focus of research. The phenotypic characterization of immune cell subtypes from the blood, but also from different tissue types, is essential. In addition, the activation status, cytokine profile and cell metabolism play an important role in answering (patho-)physiological questions in the individual departments. The reorganization of the research laboratories and the relocation of many working groups to the new Medical Research Center-I of the UKD has created spatial and personnel synergies that offer an excellent opportunity for cooperation between the individual working groups to research immunological issues. This means that existing flow cytometers can be used and shared more efficiently. The Core Facility Flow Cytometry, which is located in the same building, provides an important platform for professional exchange and the opportunity to form new networks. Due to the new networking possibilities, a “high-end” spectral flow cytometer is extremely important, as it offers the opportunity to analyze immunological and cell biological processes more comprehensively and precisely. A fundamental technical advance is above all the type of detection and analysis. Detectors for a precisely defined wavelength are installed in classic flow cytometers. Consequently, only these precisely defined ranges, which are limited to 10-24 fluorescence channels, are recorded and analyzed during the measurements. A spectral flow cytometer records the complete light spectrum by using a large number of detectors. As a result, a spectral flow cytometer has up to 184 fluorescence channels. This means that previously non-combinable fluorophores can be used simultaneously (by overlapping the spectra) and the autofluorescence of the cells can also be analyzed as additional parameters. With valuable and often limited sample material, not only can the distribution of the individual cell groups be better determined, but subgroups and their development and activation status can also be examined and unknown cell types discovered via their autofluorescence. In addition to the measurements, a spectral flow cytometer also offers more possibilities for the standardization of measurements and quality controls of the materials, as the spectra of the fluorophores used can be compared with reference spectra and standardized. By integrating the device into the Core Facility and the broad expertise at the site, the research of all participating working groups and users will be supported.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Spektrales 6-Laser Durchflusszytometer
• Instrumentation Group: 3500 Zellzähl- und Klassiergeräte (außer Blutanalyse), Koloniezähler
• Applicant Institution: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
• Leader: Professor Dr. Sven G. Meuth