New Flow Cytometry Core Laboratory Established

A new flow cytometry core laboratory will develop, standardize, and automate cell-based tests for clinical trials.

The laboratory will participate in the design of the flow cytometry assay plan and logistics associated with clinical trials related to allergy, asthma, autoimmune diseases (including diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis), and transplantation.

Established by Beckman Coulter, Inc. (Fullerton, CA, USA) at its Miami (Florida, USA) facility, the new flow cytometry core laboratory is situated alongside the functional cell core laboratory. Both laboratories were funded by the Immune Tolerance Network (ITN), an international organization headquartered at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF; USA).

Beckman Coulter will work with investigators from the United States and Europe to standardize and validate ITN-defined assays currently in use in clinical trials related to transplantation. Collaborating with ITN gives us early entry into disease and biomarker research, clinical trials, and potential new theranostic and diagnostic tests, said Wade Bolton, Ph.D., vice president of Beckman Coulter's custom biopharma solutions and services.

Hugh Auchincloss, chief operating officer of the ITN commented, "The ultimate goal of this research is to achieve transplantation tolerance, allowing the transplantation of tissues and organs without the need for life-long immunosuppression. We are convinced that to do this, we need new cellular assays of T-cell responses that have been validated, standardized, and automated. We believe that Beckman Coulter has a special expertise in these areas and look forward to working with the company in developing a number of these assays.”


Related Links:
Beckman Coulter
Immune Tolerance Network