The Flow Cytometry Core Facility is an integrated and essential component of the RDRCC since its inception. This Core provides cell sorting and polychromatic flow cytometry services for a range of research initiatives including complex immune phenotyping of samples from human rheumatic disorders, investigations on the antigen driven response in human disease, basic studies on the signals that influence immune cell differentiation and function and the development of animal models of human disease. The flow core has not only supported cutting edge work on rheumatic diseases but has also been employed in studies on other related immune/inflammatory disorders including immune mediated lung injury, immunology of frailty, immediate hypersensitivity and bacterial and viral induced chronic disease. This utilization has yielded novel insights into the mechanism of immune mediated diseases and has allowed a number of investigators, especially young investigators, to secure peer-reviewed funding.
The Flow Cytometry core has these overall objectives:
- Provide RDRCC investigators access to state of the art flow cytometry instrumentation and methodology. This includes ready access to technology, expertise and training.
- Provide a range of flow cytometric based approaches that will enhance and expand the research programs of RDRCC investigators.
- Attract new investigators to utilize the flow core by providing a collegial environment, through targeted outreach and by providing educational opportunities for investigators at all levels.
We believe that fulfilling these objectives will allow us to meet the current and future needs of investigators involved in cutting edge research in rheumatic diseases as well as embrace the needs of the expanded research base investigating a broad range of immune-mediated disease process. The core not only provides technology, techniques and expertise but is fully integrated into the mission of the Rheumatology Division and RDRCC as a center of excellence for research and training. Our goal is to cultivate a collegial and collaborative intellectual environment that will spawn new innovative approaches toward solving key problems of human disease.
For more information, please contact the Flow Cytometry Core Manager: Raffaello Cimbro at 410-550-8291 (tel) or rcimbro1@jhmi.edu (e-mail)
