Provision of multi-parameter fluorescence-activated cell sorting for functional and genomic analysis of immune cells

The immune system represents the body's natural defence to infections such as viruses and bacteria. However, manipulation of the immune also system is central to the treatment of many conditions. In diseases such as arthritis, diabetes and in organ transplantation there is a need to suppress the immune system, whereas modern cancer treatments stimulate immune responses to kill tumours. A detailed understanding of how the immune system functions is therefore essential to develop accurate and effective treatments across a wide range of important conditions. The immune system is made up of many types of cells, each with different functions. In order to be able to study these different cells in detail this proposal will fund a cell sorting machine to enable us to purify cells and understand their functions. This machine will be used by scientists working on many diseases and will contribute to the development of new treatments.