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Researcher

Nathalie Cools

  • Research Expertise:Flow cytometry is a widely used technique that allows the simultaneous and multi-parameter analysis of physical and biochemical characteristics of a population of living cells or particles in a heterogenous sample. The Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH) has 20+ years of demonstrable experience in flow cytometry (200+ published manuscripts), as well as experience in guidance and support of both internal and external research groups with flow cytometric experiments (30+ joint manuscripts). As a flow cytometry and cell sorting core facility at the AUHA, our ambition is to make basic and advanced flow cytometry available for all active and prospective users at the AUHA in order: (i) to leverage qualitative cell biological and (pre)clinical cellular research, (ii) to provide qualitative education covering flow cytometry and its applications over multiple faculties (FGGW, FBD and FWET), and (iii) to provide external service using flow cytometry as a basis, both intellectually as well as practically.
  • Keywords:FLOW CYTOMETRIC ANALYSIS, FLOW CYTOMETRY, Biomedical sciences (incl. biochemistry)
  • Disciplines:Biological system engineering, Medical biotechnology, Hematology, Immunology, Molecular and cell biology, Neurosciences, Regenerative medicine
  • Research techniques:Over the past decade, LEH has made substantial investments to establish a modern flow cytometry and cell sorting equipment park, including BD Facsaria II (2009), Partec Cyflow ML (2007), Beckman Coulter Cytoflex (2017), Novocyte Quanteon (2021), BD FACSLyric (2022) . The primary objective of the envisaged core facility will be to provide access to state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained staff to all current (see Annex B) and prospective users, in order to advance research by flow cytometry and sorting. In doing so, we will provide support for all aspects of flow cytometry: experimental design, setup of equipment, data acquisition and data analysis. More specifically, the core facility will focus on: - Guidance, training and support for first time flow cytometry users, - Access to advanced flow cytometry equipment (up to 25 colours) for researchers aiming to level up their routine flow cytometry measurements, - Access to flow-based cell sorters for researchers that aim to isolate a population of interest at high purity for further analysis, and this, dependent on the user’s requests, within the context of research collaboration or within the context of paid use of equipment, both at affordable pricing.
  • Users of research expertise:FACSUA overall defines three customer segments with different needs for its flow cytometry and cell sorting facility and complementary peripheral infrastructure, from basic (un)assisted sampling, to advanced multi-parameter acquisition, and full-service tailored solutions. FACSUA opens its expertise and infrastructure to users from UAntwerp (UA), academic (intern)national institutes outside UAntwerp (Aca) and non-academic (inter)national industrial customers (Ind), offering the most suited package.