Leveraging COG-UK expertise to support the global dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing

Multi-dimensional single cell analysis using cytometry technologies is one of the most significant contributors to our understanding of complex cellular compartments such as the immune system.  In recent years we have seen an explosion of new technologies and methodologies that have expanded the number of parameters per cell such as scRNA-seq, but we have suffered from an inverse correlation with scalability and throughput due to significant associated costs.  Our goal is to successfully introduce Spectral Flow Cytometry (SFC) as a new, sensitive, scalable and future proof multi-dimensional single cell phenotyping technology to the vibrant, multi-user core facility.  We will use the immense capabilities of SFC to understand rare immune-deficiencies (Hambleton); decode the developing blood and immune system (Haniffa); dissect the role of macrophages in inflammatory disease through somatic mutation analysis (Collin); unravel molecular processes in host-pathogen interactions that dictate immune responses (Trost); understand more about Giant Cell Arteritis (Reynolds), anti-viral responses (Duncan), immune surveillance of liver cancer (Wilson) and the control/relapse of Rheumatoid Arthritis (Pratt).  We will also address fundamental questions about the technology and methodology itself through expanding the parameter set using probes and label free measurements based on auto-fluorescence (Filby) as well as develop analytical tools (Rico).