UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research Institiúid Mhic Con Mí an Taighde Bhithmhóilínigh agus Bhithleighis

Who should attend? 

Our target audience are those with no, or minimal flow cytometry experience in research, commercial or clinical environments who want to learn the main concepts of flow cytometry.

What will I learn from this course?

You will learn the fundamentals of cytometry to ensure that your flow cytometry experiments will yield accurate results. We will help you to develop high standards of practice, explore new applications and employ contemporary methods using the latest instrumentation. We will show how to interpret published material, and the best practice for presenting results.  

Indicative programme content. Final schedule will be available in due course.

Day 1: Introduction to flow cytometry: principles and data analysis
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles of flow cytometry (FC) and fluorescence; demonstrate the ability to obtain and critically assess FC data using specific analysis software applications. Become familiar with standard operation procedures including instrumentation fundamentals, cleaning and maintenance and routine QC.

Day 2: FC instrumentation: Controls, multicolour and cell sorting
Familiarisation with instruments and their components; demonstrate understanding and critical awareness of analysis protocol creation; integrate knowledge of good laboratory practice in instrument usage, sample preparation, quality control, troubleshooting. 

Day 3: FC applications I: Apoptosis, cell proliferation, kinetics and extracellular vesicles
Understand concepts of apoptosis, cell cycle & physiology; apply knowledge and understanding of FC to the analysis of apoptosis, cell cycle & physiology and extracellular vesicles; demonstrate an ability to integrate knowledge of these areas into protocol design for FC analysis. We will also show the importance of considering time as a key parameter in this technology and in projects, introducing the concept of real-time flow cytometry.

Day 4: FC applications II: Immunology and physiology of the cells
Demonstrate understanding of immunophenotyping & microbiology; apply knowledge and understanding of FC to the analysis of immunological & phagocytic cells; demonstrate an ability to integrate knowledge of these areas into protocol design for FC analysis. Become aware of the relevance of regulations especially in clinical environment and industry. Understand the process of setting up the instruments for studies in immunology and micro- and nano- events.

Day 5: New technologies, data reanalysis and data publication
Uses of FC outside the academic research setting; achieve an understanding of allied technologies such as mass spectrometry, multiplexing and other relatively new technologies that are filling the gap between flow cytometry and other platforms; be able to critically assess the synergistic benefits of flow cytometric analysis in combination with allied technologies. Aware of third-party software commonly used in cytometry for the data reanalysis of very simple to very complex data sets. At the end of the course, a final problem-based assessment will take place.

Course fee:
Academic in person rate: €400
Industry in person rate: €500
Researchers from commercial entities please contact: conway@ucd.ie 

Registration:

Step 1: Complete the 2025 UCD Conway Flow Cytometry Summer School registration form

Step 2: Click for payment by debit or credit card. 
For payments using internal UCD Grant Code/Cost Centre or invoice/purchase order method or any difficulties with the online payment system, please email: mark.crowley@ucd.ie 

Module Registration:
Please note that module registration for 2.5ECTS is an entirely separate process. Credits are applicable only for the Basic School. If you require ECTS, you must register to CNWY40130 via SISweb. Further details available online or by emailing conway@ucd.ie