Provision of multi-parameter fluorescence-activated cell sorting for functional and genomic analysis of immune cells

This application is for the purchase of a BD Aria-Fusion fluorescence activated cell sorter.

The instrument performs high-speed multi-parameter sorting, allowing isolation of rare cell subsets and supporting single-cell genetic and functional analyses.

It will enable scientists at the UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation (IIT) to be at the forefront of studies of the patho-physiology of the human immune system and responses to disease treatments.

This state-of-the-art sorter is essential to allow us to maintain a cutting edge flow-cytometry core facility in the newly constructed Pears building, which will house the IIT from late 2020.

The Pears building is a £61 million joint project between UCL and the Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust to create a world-leading centre for disease-focused immunology research. The building will accommodate some 20 research groups comprising approximately 200 scientists.

The translational immunology programs of the IIT include mechanistic studies in animal models, genetic and functional analyses of the human immune system, high-dimensional analysis of clinical samples and the monitoring of patients participating in novel immunotherapy trials.

The technical capability of the FACS-Aria-Fusion is therefore required to support a wide variety of cutting-edge research programs in infection and immunity.