Imaging Flow Cytometer

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 581450307

Imaging flow cytometry combines the speed, sensitivity, and statistical power of conventional flow cytometry with the detailed and spatial information of microscopy. This technique captures thousands of microscopic images of individual cells or particles within minutes while simultaneously recording the intensity of specific fluorescence signals. As a result, both quantitative and spatial information can be obtained at the same time. In contrast to classical microscopy, which primarily allows detailed analysis of individual cells, imaging flow cytometry enables the examination of large cell populations with respect to defined morphological and molecular features in a short period of time. The requested instrument can simultaneously detect up to ten fluorescent colors and achieves an optical resolution of about 300 nanometres with a detection limit of approximately 100 nanometres. This allows detailed analysis not only of animal cells but also of smaller structures such as extracellular vesicles and microorganisms. Each recorded object can be evaluated according to its fluorescence intensity as well as image-based characteristics such as shape, internal structure, or the spatial distribution of fluorescence signals. This enables detailed investigation of processes such as cell–cell interactions, signal transduction, substance uptake, and contact with bioactive compounds. The instrument will be used in a wide range of research projects at Leibniz University Hannover. These include (i) the analysis of extracellular vesicles derived from stem cells and their role in tissue models, (ii) the investigation of vesicles from hematopoietic stem cells in health and disease, (iii) the identification of new protein targets and bioactive molecules for drug development, (iv) the development of synthetic genetic circuits for biological screening, (v) the study of signaling processes and differentiation in microorganisms, and (vi) the use of fluorescent biosensors to monitor cellular behavior in three-dimensional culture systems. By combining high-throughput capability with image-based single-cell analysis, the new system will significantly enhance the investigation of complex biological processes and sustainably strengthen interdisciplinary research at Leibniz University Hannover.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Bildgebendes Durchflusszytometer
• Instrumentation Group: 3500 Zellzähl- und Klassiergeräte (außer Blutanalyse), Koloniezähler
• Applicant Institution: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover
• Leader: Professor Dr. Dominik Egger