I wonder if this group can provide some opinions and recommendations regarding automated or semi-automated flow cytometry instruments. Our clinical cell therapy laboratory is responsible for processing marrow, PBSC, and cord blood grafts transplanted here, as well as for gene therapy, activated cell therapy, and so forth. The clinical flow cytometry laboratory has been splendid about taking care of our flow cytometry needs, mainly CD34 and CD3 measurement. Hours of operation are sometimes problematic, however. Specimens harvested at other institutions, often overseas, arrive and are processed very late in the day, or night. The flow cytometry lab understandably is not in a position to keep these hours. Increasingly, however, our more complex procedures require CD34 and/or CD3 measurement in real-time, for dose adjustment, or to determine the nature of subsequent processing steps. Our transplant docs have been asking us to acquire an automated flow cytometry instrument to meet these needs, and have been enthusiastic about how simple these instruments are. From all the messages I have read here, and from my own limited experience, however, I'm a trifle skeptical that anything in flow cytometry could be so easy. Still, if feasible, this could be a good solution. We use a small, automated Coulter counter for real-time nucleated cell counts, and obtain final results the following day from the clinical hematology lab Coulter STKS. Similarly, an automated or semiautomated small-scale flow cytometer could provide real-time results, while the clinical flow cytometry results could provide final results the following day. Does this seem practical? Are there such instruments? I am slightly familiar with the Microcyte flow cytometer, which I suspect could do this task. The Biometric Imaging device should be suitable also, but thus far does not appear to be available for this purpose. Any other possibilities? Do Becton-Dickinson or Coulter make instruments that could fit? Any helpful suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Scott *************************************************************** Scott R. Burger, M.D. Medical Director, Cell Therapy Clinical Laboratory Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology University of Minnesota burge009@gold.tc.umn.edu 612-626-4919 612-624-5411 (Fax)
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