New cytometry equipment to boost medical research in Canberra
Written by Dr Euan McNaughton, edited by Amanda Cox and photos by Melan Kurera.
A generous philanthropic grant from The Ian Potter Foundation has allowed the John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) to start the year with a major upgrade.
We now have a state-of-the-art Cytek Aurora Spectral Flow Cytometer in the school’s Cytometry, Histology, and Spatial Multiomics (CHaSM) Facility.
“This represents a huge boost for immunology, haematology and oncology research in the Canberra region,” added Dr Euan McNaughton, Manager of the Canberra Clinical Phenomics Service.
Researchers are eager to use the Aurora to analyse the physical and chemical characteristics of human cells involved in disease.
Dr Ainsley Davies is developing new diagnostic tests for inflammatory diseases like myositis.
“We are already on the map for pushing the boundaries of this technology, and this new instrument will allow us to push even further,” Dr Davies said.
Dr Vijay Bhoopalan, who has recently started postdoctoral research at the ANU looking at platelets, the cell fragments which drive blood clotting and diseases like immune thrombocytopaenia (ITP).
“The new five-laser flow cytometer lets us see everything from the biggest blood cells (megakaryocytes) to the tiniest blood cells (platelets) with crystal-clear signals, fewer compromises, and a host of new possibilities for discovery,” said Dr Vijay Bhoopalan.
“For people living with ITP and other rare platelet disorders, progress depends on researchers having access to the most advanced tools,” added Danielle Boyle, CEO and Founder of ITP Australia and New Zealand. “The Aurora will help unlock deeper insights into platelet biology and immune interactions, bringing us closer to better diagnostics and more targeted treatments for our community.”
“This marks a new era in High Dimensional Flow cytometry for the facility,” said Dr Harpreet Vohra, Manager of the CHaSM Facility.
The Aurora, with five lasers and 64 detection channels in high sensitivity semiconductor arrays, is the current gold standard for detailed analysis of individual cell markers.
“Access to cutting edge technologies like the Cytek Aurora Spectral Flow Cytometer is critical for accelerating discovery in multiple sclerosis,” said Dr Tennille Luker, Head of Research at MS Australia. “By enabling researchers to study immune cells in far greater detail, this instrument strengthens Australia’s capacity to uncover the biological drivers of MS and move closer to more precise ways of predicting disease activity and tailoring treatment for people living with MS.”
The new instrument will also be used by researchers across Canberra. “We were very happy to support the ANU team with this application,” said Associate Professor Regan Ashby of the University of Canberra. “The CHaSM facility is a great resource for both universities.”
“We are excited to see the instalment of this new instrument to push the boundaries of science to help our patients in the region,” said Professor Imogen Mitchell, Executive Director Education, Research and Academic Partnerships, Canberra Health Services.
Head of the Immunology and Infectious Diseases Division at the JCSMR Professor Ian Cockburn, said the funding and equipment will help advance medical research in the Canberra region.
“We're very grateful for the support of The Ian Potter Foundation,” said Professor Cockburn. “This kind of investment can go a long way by supporting a huge breadth of research projects.”
