Establishing a clinical research flow cytometry core

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Abstract

The Clinical Research Flow Cytometry core is currently in the final stage of the set up process having just acquired additional equipment, space and personnel as well as all required laboratory consumables and reagents. Space remodeling has been completed and data analysis workstation established. Advice and extensive experience of other expert NIH flow cytometrists, including both clinical and research core managers, have been appreciated during the design stage (Maryalice Stetler-Stevenson, Hao-Wei Wang, Constance Yuan, Pradeep Dagur, Karen Laky, Katherine McKinnon, Iyadh Douagi, Ferenc Livak). The core has been staffed with experts in both flow cytometry and immunology and as such will provide a unique set of skills and knowledge to clinical investigators. The facility has just started to provide support to investigators in 1) Pediatric Oncology Branch, studying the immunophenotypic changes that CAR T cells undergo after infusion into pediatric and young adult cancer patients (Nirali Shah, Naomi Taylor); 2) Lymphoid Malignancy Branch, defining the effect of immunotherapy on the phenotype and function of abnormal plasma cells in multiple myeloma (Elizabeth Hill); 3) Immune Deficiency Cellular Therapy Program in evaluating lymphocytic phenotype and function in pediatric patients with immunodeficiencies such as Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and DOCK8 deficiency (Sung-Yun Pai) and in adults with chronic GvHD treated with novel therapies (Steven Pavletic). The core contributes to the development of the bioinformatic tools for flow cytometric panel design via the newly-established collaboration with the group of Gregoire Altan-Bonnett.