The Flow Cytometry Core Facility Experience. Derek Davies London Research Ins tute

Transcription

1 The Flow Cytometry Core Facility Experience Derek Davies London Research Ins tute

2 The Flow Cytometry Core Facility Experience Establishment, growth and success Benefits of centralisa on Challenges for management Metrics of success Adding value The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then insert it again GFP Anti-phosphoH Propidium Iodide RFP Propidium Iodide Annexin V-FITC

3 Why is (flow) cytometry important? Flow cytometry publica ons Number Year

4 Why is a core cytometry facility important? Centralises the hardware Centralises the exper se It s self evident but do we want to get there and, if so, how?

5 Let s talk about me

6 Let s talk about me Established core facility Started mid 1980 s Strong culture of development Large staff level Proac ve internally Proac ve externally Courses Mee ngs Collabora on

7 Star ng from scratch Incep on....growth..maturity

8 This is the growth of the LRI Lab, Staff Equipment

9 Appropriate staff level to today Appropriate hardware level The same old user level

10 This is what we do Training Analysis and interpreta on Idea Advice and assay design Cytometer opera on Future planning Product

11 This is what we do Line Manager User Group Core Manager Budget Control Service Charges Technology awareness and evalua on Supervision and career development Advice to Lab Users Adver sement Ancillary services Technical development Data control User training and supervision Facility Staff Cell sorter opera on Analy cal cytometer opera on User Base

12 There are hurdles to overcome How can we go about this? Natural resistance to change No clear benefit May need new skills/techniques Self interest Fear of the unknown Perceived as a risk

13 There are hurdles to overcome How can we go about this? Process is never passive, all par es take an ac ve role Change driven internally Innova on Users needs Improvement Efficiency Change driven externally Regula ons Organisa on Equipment obsolescence

14 How can we go about this? What should the Core Lab provide? Analy cal Technology: What is needed to cover Lab remit? Sor ng Technology: Is it required? If so, what? Clinical Applica ons: Will flow cytometry technology be used for IVD Will Lab need cer fica on? CLP? GLP? GMP? Future Laboratory Requirements: Will you need to grow the facility? Addi onal hardware? New technologies?

15 How can we go about this? Not all considera ons are cytometry- related General Laboratory environment / Health and Safety Business planning Opera onal issues Staffing and staff reten on

16 Direct funding Own grant wri ng Fee for service Where does funding come from? PAYG Contracted

17 Tasks performed by Staff User Support: Training and supervision of Users Hands- on support for new users Support for Experienced Users - Advanced Data Acquisi on - Advanced Troubleshoo ng Experimental Design Consulta on - Basic Sample Prepara on - Fluorescent Reagent Choice - Experimental analysis

18 Opera onal considera ons Constant monitoring of service provision Self evalua on do we provide what users want? How accessible are the services? How welcoming is the environment? Partners not customers Add value Teaching important as it expands knowledge

19 Opera onal considera ons Constant monitoring of service provision Be efficient (and make sure efficiencies are seen) Staff development and reten on Ensure quality Plan for the future Re- invest Open door policy

20 Opera onal considera ons Constant monitoring of service provision Robust research New and emerging technologies R&D Research is a risky business need to manage risk Mission statement and vision Cu ng edge technology and development, integra ng with, and adding value to, research.

21 Metrics of success Usage tracking: Plateau indicates max capacity or max usage More machines or more users! Hours Month

22 Metrics of success Usage can show when new equipment needed and allows targe ng of the right people. Sorter 2 Sorter Development 100 BrdU Analysis Apoptosis Analysis 80 DNA analysis Sorting for RNA Sorting for microarray 60 Asceptic Sorting Fluorescent Proteins 40 Phenotyping: Other Phenotyping: B/T cells 20 Phenotyping: Cultured cells Phenotyping: Thymo

23 Surveys What the facility does well What it does not so well Use several methods Keep up the good work Talk to users! Customer sa sfac on

24 Keep up the good work Interac on with users Go to Lab mee ngs and seminars Be accessible, go walkabout, drink coffee Become involved with the science Interac on with other cores Go to conferences with cytometry content Business cards with mul ple contacts Core Heads Group especially allied technologies

25 Keep up the good work Cer fica on SOPs ISO9001 ICCE ISAC SRL GxP 21CFR

26 Challenges for the future Cancer Chromosomes DNA replica on DNA repair Vascular Biology Cell signalling Stem Cells Immunity Structural Biology Human Health Developmental Biology Neurobiology Immunity and infec on Immunoregula on Mycobacteria Parasitology Physiology Virology Drug development HTS Chemistry Others?

27 Challenges for the future New hardware New technology Be er educa on Be er training

28 Challenges for the future

29 What can centralisa on add? Summary The ability to get moving using established technology The ability to introduce techniques using experienced staff who understand the technology Be at the forefront of newer developments by being seen as expert by manufacturers Introduc on and awareness of current Best Prac ces

30 Summary