Immunology and Flow Cytometry Unit
Responsible person: Olga Vondálová Blanářová, Ph.D., M.Sc.
The core of this unit is flow cytometry instrumentation, i.e., primarily a set of flow cytometers and associated sorter. Flow cytometry allows for the analysis of dozens of parameters of hundreds of thousands to millions of cells in real time. In combination with cell sorting, individual cell types (defined by the experimenter) can then be physically separated. Using this equipment, the Unit for Immunology and Analytical Cytometry will be able to perform complete cell phenotyping – of immune, tumour, and other cell types. The unit will isolate cell types using sorters and prepare cells for subsequent genomic and proteomic analyses or in vivo and ex vivo experiments. In addition to classic sorting, the unit will be able to incorporate microfluidic technologies for single-cell genomics and proteomics. Due to the importance of flow cytometry in immunology, a battery of functional immunological tests will also be provided. Finally, the unit will concentrate bioinformatic capacity on the processing of multidimensional statistical data sets (data from flow cytometers, data from other single-cell methods) generated in the PC.
What services/products will the unit provide?
Comprehensive multicolour analysis of cell populations based on light scattering and fluorescent probe content using conventional and spectral cytometry
Extensive support for basic and comprehensive cell cycle analysis and apoptosis testing – experiment design, sample preparation, data analysis
Consultations, specialized training in flow cytometry, operation of flow cytometers, and analysis of acquired data
Multiparametric and multichannel cell sorting or sorting of individual cells based on FACS
Multidimensional analysis of flow cytometry data (in collaboration with the BioInfo team)
(specific details must be consulted in advance with Dr. Vondálová Blanářová; email: olgavondalova@sci.muni.cz)
The unit will also provide the following services:
Consultation on the design of multiplex panels for spectral flow cytometry focused on the analysis of solid cancer tissue (primarily clinical tumour tissue samples) with the possibility of image analysis of cell populations
Recommendations for the validation of proposed solid tissue immunophenotyping panels
Immunophenotyping of clinical tumour tissue samples using spectral flow cytometry (see services provided by the Tumor Models Unit)
Sorting of selected cell populations from single-cell suspensions derived from tumour tissue
Assistance with the analysis of acquired data
(specific details must be consulted in advance with Dr. Procházková; email: jirina.prochazkova@sci.muni.cz)