Among the many resources available to HSCI researchers are core facilities that provide access to affordable state-of-the-art technologies and highly specialized expertise often needed for stem cell research.
For example, HSCI supports flow cytometry core facilities at four affiliated institutions that offer researchers access to cutting-edge instruments such as high-speed
cell sorters, cell analyzers, and data-analysis computers, along with expert guidance in their use.
Long highly valued by HSCI researchers, the scientific staff of the flow cytometry core facilities are now being recognized by the broader, international research community. Recently, Vasilis Toxavidis and John Tigges, respectively the resource and technical directors of the HSCI flow cytometry core facility at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), were invited to present at several forums at “CYTO 2011” in Baltimore, a meeting of the International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC).
Their topics included a novel approach to hematopoietic bone marrow cell sorting, nanoparticles and microparticles, and quality assurance in flow cytometry. Toxavidis also presented a poster at CYTO 2011 related to research done in collaboration with Aris Veves, MD, also of BIDMC. “It’s quite an honor to be invited to present at a prestigious international conference on cutting-edge subjects in the field of flow cytometry,” said Toxavidis.
In addition, the BIDMC core facility’s staff members Heidi Mariani and Sarah Schuett were invited to present a poster, which was based on work produced using an instrument provided by HSCI. “This acknowledgement from a prestigious society highlights the benefit of our HSCI collaboration, and is a remarkable accomplishment for our two rising stars in the world of flow cytometry,” said Tigges.