Overall, a good year in cytometry....

From: J.Paul Robinson (jpr@flowcyt.cyto.purdue.edu)
Date: Fri Dec 21 2001 - 18:42:17 EST


Colleagues:
The annual scoresheet for cytometry reads reasonably well for 2001.

In terms of this list: 2226 current members, 3100 messages this year, a few cuts and
bruises, but so far no skeletons....over 5 million accesses to our website in 2001 so far
- double 2000, with an average daily transfer rate of 228 megabytes/day. The sections
hit heavily this year were the education pages where we list lots of powerpoint lectures
 in flow and image. Not much wonder we had to replace several of our servers this year
to cope with the load.

Because of increased viral activity, we initiated a complete virus scan of all documents
in and out of the list and we have reduced the number of attachments. We created the
Jobs section, http://www.cyto.purdue.edu/flowcyt/jobs.htm which has been heavily
patronised by all.

We created some fast surveys which, if I had more time, would change as regularly as
I said they would. OK good intentions anyway. Perhaps if you would send me your
questions we could use them.

There were a couple of really good intellectual battles this year. We discussed "good
data/bad data" and we also discussed the issue of using a little more precision in the
terms we use to describe cytometry information. In the new year, maybe, I will try to
create a sub page for the site that maintains some suggestions. I know  many of you
will contribute to that process. Professor Darzynkiewicz has also volunteered to drive
the creation of some documents regarding the "good data/bad data" issue.

And this next year lets look forward to seeing what CYTOMICS turns up. This term is
starting to look interesting - genomics, proteomics and cytomics.....true most of you
have been doing cytomics for years, but so had the proteomics people for years before
they knew they were doing proteomics! Maybe this term helps cytometry folks better
define the links between cytometry, genomics and proteomics.  Cytomics also has a
good chance of allowing us to "recreate" ourselves in current terms. Maybe it is time
for us to get out of our little shells and meet the rest of the scientific world
halfway. If
we don't, cytometry may become a subset of proteomics and and before you know
it.....

For 2002 the other word is EDUCATION!  I am going to make a new year resolution
right now and I am certain that I am going to regret it. I will replace all of my
outdated
flow cytometry, image analysis and confocal lectures with ones no later than a year or
so old........and we are all waiting anxiously for Howard Shapiro's new edition of
Practical Flow Cytometry!!!

Finally, We will be publishing our 7th CDROM for the ISAC meeting.  We need
material in January and February. Please contact me if you have some interesting
data, images, movies, protocols, manuscripts, incriminating photos,  etc. We will
distribute 5000 copies internationally. Companies are invited to sponsor the disk.
Check out the info address at http://www.cyto.purdue.edu/flowcyt/cdrom/sponinfo.htm
Our target date for distribution is the ISAC Congress in May, 2002.

The Purdue Cytometry list will continue for its 13th year thanks to the hard work that
Steve Kelley puts in. Both Steve and I are very grateful that nearly all of you, as
participants observe a very high degree of ownership and therfore responsibility. We
don't publish the addess anywhere, and all subscription requests come to me
personally. If I hassle you for info, it is because we are trying to protect the
integrity of
the list. I think we only threw two people off the list this year for abusing it!

Your suggestions will always be considered. Best wishes for the Holiday Season to
you all, and a fruitful and profitable New Year for 2002.

J. Paul Robinson
Purdue Cytometry Discussion List
J.Paul Robinson, PhD             PH:(765)4940757
Professor of Immunopharmacology
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Purdue University          FAX:(765)4940517
EMAIL:jpr@flowcyt.cyto.purdue.edu
WEB: http://www.cyto.purdue.edu



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