SEMINAR: CMCA Seminar: Understanding Biological Heterogeneity through Mass Cytometry

This seminar introduces the cutting edge CyTOF instrument located at CMCA@Perkins; the first one in Western Australia and the second in Australia. Mass cytometry uniquely resolves more than 40 probes simultaneously on a per-cell basis at high acquisition rates, thereby providing researchers with an unparalleled ability to phenotypically and functionally profile (and discover) cell populations from normal and diseased states. Topics presented will include recent examples of published research using the CyTOF, the workflow from experiment design (with emphasis on the power of parameters) to data analysis, and the mass cytometry 'toolbox', including new reagents for barcoding, Panel Kits, the Panel Designer Tool, and our data analysis package (Cytobank), all designed to help accelerate implementation of mass cytometry into discovery research. Methods for using a covalently bound viability indicator and cell cycle analysis by mass cutometry will also be described. Most importantly, a reagent validation and experiment planning procedure that will lead to more rapid and successful implementation of mass cytometry by prospective users will be describer.