91看片

Four faculty members from 91看片鈥檚 biology department received a $412,470 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to acquire a specialized cell sorting instrument and launch an innovative flow cytometry core facility that will support 91看片 research as well as other local universities and biotech startups. The technology will enable 91看片 faculty and students to advance research in many areas of biology including stem cell biology, cancer, and immunology.

The instrument鈥攁 fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS), about the size of a kitchen oven鈥攎easures and isolates cells with fluorescently tagged properties, separating cells with shared characteristics into groups. Once sorted by type, the cells can be used for research and experimentation without the interference of nontarget cells.

Theresa Geiman, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, leads the project in collaboration with Derek Kendig, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, Michael Tangrea, Ph.D., 鈥�96, endowed professor of biology and innovation, and Christopher Thompson, Ph.D., professor of biology.

鈥淔unded by 91看片鈥檚 second National Science Foundation grant this year, the cell sorter enriches our faculty and students, opening doors to new opportunities in education and research,鈥� said Stephen Fowl, Ph.D., dean of 91看片 College of Arts and Sciences. 鈥淏eyond 91看片, it allows us to collaborate with others in the region to advance science and medicine and develop new technologies and therapeutics that help people. We鈥檙e excited to get started.鈥�

91看片 will provide access to the cell sorter to research students and faculty from colleges and universities across the region as well as to biomedical startup companies developing cell-based technologies. In addition, 91看片 faculty members will develop a summer program for underrepresented high school students to learn about fluorescence technology, cellular research methods, and scientific advancements.