Shared Resource 07: Flow Cytometry (FCSR)

PROJECT SUMMARY – FLOW CYTOMETRY SHARED RESOURCE (FCSR) Flow cytometry services are critical for cancer research. Since flow cytometry instrumentation is expensive, and typically requires significant technical expertise, a centralized resource is essential. The mission of the FCSR is to support OSUCCC members and high-impact cancer research projects with high quality cell analysis and sorting capabilities. The FCSR also provides training and regularly host technology-based seminars or workshops to introduce new technology to OSUCCC members. The FCSR continues to strive to be a state-of- the-art cell analysis laboratory that has the following Specific Aims to: 1) provide state-of-the-art equipment and support for high-quality cancer research for OSUCCC members on a fee-for-service basis; 2) continuously work with OSUCCC members to provide substantial technical expertise and training for state-of the-art cytometry instruments to address fundamental questions in cancer research so that researchers can have 24-hour access to flow cytometry instrumentation; and 3) introduce OSUCCC members to new instrumentation, technology and methodologies being developed at the FCSR through a variety of educational outreach activities. The FCSR co- Directors are Jeffrey Chalmers, (Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering), and recently appointed co-Director, Kevin Weller, Associate Director of the Pelotonia Institute of Immuno-Oncology (PIIO) and specifically to develop the Immune Monitoring and Discovery Platform, a cross-cutting shared-resource initiative that integrates shared resources for complex immuno-oncology projects. Further, Dr. Gregory Behbehani (LR) is a Faculty Advisor for the Helios mass cytometer (CyTOF) system. Over the current grant cycle, major changes to the FCSR were to align with the establishment of the PIIO, which will result in a substantial increase in the need for flow cytometry services. To address this need, new instrumentation was purchased including four new instruments including a state-of-the-art Cytek Aurora flow cytometer and a Helios mass cytometer. During this time period, the FCSR contributed to 231 publications (39 >10 impact factor), had 296 users with 34,118 hours of service (83.7% to OSUCCC members), and supported 80 NCI grants (1 K12, 1 K22, 1 K24, 6 P01s, 1 P50, 52 R01s, 1 R03, 7 R21s, 3 R35s, 1 R37, 1 T32, and 5 U01s). In the next funding cycle, the FCSR will support the increasing needs of all OSUCCC strategic priorities, including immuno-oncology, translational genomics, cancer engineering, and cancer prevention and survivorship. The user base will substantially increased requiring new staff and technologies, for example by purchasing an additional Aurora instrument, and increasing cell sorting, cell isolation, and exosome/microvesicle research. In addition, new services under development include development of further exosome characterization and isolation technology. The annual budget of the FCSR is $518,075, yet the CCSG request is $108,261. As such, the FCSR leverages extensive institutional support and seeks only 20.9% support from CCSG funds.