Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

The requested flow cytometry system will enable us to advance our research programs and make important progress towards the development of new strategies to promote tissue regeneration in a broad range of applications, including novel orthopaedic, reconstructive, and cardiac therapies. An understanding of the cellular behaviour within tissue-engineered constructs is vital to advancing our research. The flow cytometer facilitates the rapid, real-time characterization of cells, yielding extensive data, ranging from protein expression to cellular viability. Up to 8 different detection parameters can be simultaneously measured in very small samples of cells, making this one of the most powerful tools available to researchers. The requested system will complement the existing multi-user equipment that is currently available in our lab facilities. This equipment will directly support the independent and collaborative research efforts of 5 investigators, and their research groups, including over 30 graduate students in the Departments of Chemical Engineering, and Mechanical and Materials Engineering. In addition, the equipment will be made available to other users in the Faculty of Engineering, as well as more broadly at Queen's University. The funding requested will significantly enhance our research capabilities and allow us to remain competitive at an international level in the development of new cell-based regenerative therapies, including in the application of adult stem cells for soft tissue engineering.