Cofinanciering OZR FWO Hercules MZW: SPECY-SORT: SPEctral flow CYtometer and cell SORTer

Flow cytometry is a technology allowing to analyse multiple parameters on a single cell level using live cells in complex mixtures, to gain insights in which proteins are expressed
by the cells and in which amount. Via this technique, it can thus be determined which types of cells are present in a sample and what are their properties. Based on the measured parameters, the cells can also be further sorted into different fractions, allowing their functional characterization or evaluation of cell-based therapies. For the current cell sorter in the Etterbeek branch of the VUB Flow Cytometry Core Facility the possibility to prolong the service contract will terminate from March 2022 onwards, and the availability of spare parts will no longer be guaranteed. For continued access to this crucial technology, we are hereby requesting funding for a new high-parameter cell sorter. We are thereby making use of the opportunity
to introduce a spectral flow cytometer and cell sorter to our university as an early adopter customer. As compared to conventional flow cytometers, such spectral flow
cytometers differ in the way the parameters are measured, offering increased flexibility in the choice of reagents that can be used to measure the different parameters, better possibilities for discriminating the specific parameters from background signals and enhanced sensitivity for measuring dim and intracellular markers.