Fluidigm, Karolinska Institutet collaboration to accelerate cytometry technology
Biotechnology tools provider Fluidigm Corporation (South San Francisco, CA) has entered a collaboration agreement with the Karolinska Institutet (Stockholm, Sweden) for research applications and product development using CyTOF XT, the fourth-generation platform based on Fluidigm’s cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF) technology. The collaboration will focus on CyTOF-based research performed in the Karolinska Institutet’s Department of Women’s and Children’s Health.
“Research in the Institute’s Department of Women’s and Children’s Health focuses on cellular interactions governing immune system behavior in health and disease and human immune system variation, as well as immune development in children,” says Petter Brodin, MD, PhD, Professor of Immunology. “We are building a body of knowledge about the immune system, particularly in early childhood development, that we believe will have broad implications in future health care decision making. CyTOF provides detailed data that can shed light on immunological makeup and responses, leading to development of therapies that are most effective for patients.
“Mass cytometry has enabled Karolinska Institutet to conduct significant immunological research in recent years that has yielded insights that inform new therapies. We acquired a CyTOF XT to expand our capabilities in this regard, providing rich data to help us better understand the incredibly complex human immune system, with advancements in throughput, automation, and time to results,” says Brodin.
As part of the collaboration, the Karolinska Institutet will receive early access to reagents and software under development by Fluidigm, evaluate pre-released Fluidigm materials and products under development, participate in Fluidigm events and host visits or experiments by Fluidigm customers or prospects relating to Helios, a CyTOF system, and CyTOF XT, and participate in product development discussions with respect to Helios and CyTOF XT.