Quantitative flow cytometry measurements are routinely used in clinical laboratories to measure the number of cells and the number or pattern of specific disease biomarkers on the surfaces and cytoplasm of lymphocytes taken from the blood, lymph nodes, or bone marrow. The accurate measurement of the numbers of these biomarkers provides important information about cell properties, lineage, clonality, differentiation stage, and activation status. Thus, the reliability of these measurements has a significant impact on our understanding of disease diagnosis and prognosis, and on recommended therapies. However, a commonly accepted method does not yet exist for quality control of multicolor flow cytometry measurements. This includes factors such as instrument linearity, dynamic range, and sensitivity. Nor do calibration standards exist for the measurement of multiple disease biomarkers. This lack of standards for flow cytometry hinders the progress of medical research and healthcare delivery. Thus, it is critical to develop measurement methodologies and protocols for improving the performance of quantitative flow cytometry measurements. In addition to the standards effort, we are also developing quantitative flow cytometry assays for studying intracellular signal transduction pathways and profiling the efficacy of drugs and other therapies.

 

Keywords:

Antibodies bound per cell; Biological controls; Fluorescence calibration; Intracellular applications; Equivalent reference fluorophores (ERF);

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants