Mass cytometry
Mass Cytometry couples the single cell high-speed analysis of flow cytometry with the accuracy of elemental mass spectrometry. In contrast to flow cytometry, antibodies are labelled with stable transition element isotopes to stain cellular epitopes, resulting in minimal signal overlap and an absence of autofluorescence. The technology is offered in two modes: suspension and imaging.
Mass cytometry manager
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David Ahern
Research Associate
How mass cytometry works
Cells are stained with a panel of metal-conjugated antibodies directed against surface and intracellular protein targets. | |
 | Inside Helios, cells are individually atomized to release the metal ions. Ions derived from each stained cell are maintained in discrete clouds. |
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| Data is generated in .fcs format. |
Equipment
Helios Mass Cytometer | Hyperion Imaging System |
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In suspension mode, our Helios Mass Cytometer allows the simultaneous quantification of up to 60 cell surface and intracellular antigens at the single cell level, allowing comprehensive phenotyping and functional profiling of complex cellular systems. Sample barcoding and multiplexing facilitates simultaneous staining and data acquisition of multiple samples. | In Imaging mode, our Hyperion Imaging System couples with our Helios Mass Cytometer to facilitate the usage of metal-tagged antibodies on tissue sections mounted on glass slides. It allows the simultaneous quantification of up to 40 cellular parameters to deliver comprehensive spatial immune profiling within tissue. |
Support
Our facility can provide support from the design stages of a mass cytometry experiment right through to data acquisition and analysis. We can provide validated protocols for the detection of cell surface antigens, intracellular cytokines, nuclear targets, and phosphoproteins. The facility holds a large catalogue of metal-conjugated antibodies to human and murine cellular antigens and a number of ready-to-use staining panels.
In addition, we hold all the reagents required for custom antibody conjugation to aid users in creating bespoke staining panels. The facility supports research projects external to both the institute and the university using validated protocols allowing the preparation of samples remotely prior to transportation to the facility for data acquisition.
Our publications
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Single cell spatial analysis reveals inflammatory foci of immature neutrophil and CD8 T cells in COVID-19 lungs.
Weeratunga P. et al, (2023), Nat Commun, 14
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A blood atlas of COVID-19 defines hallmarks of disease severity and specificity.
COvid-19 Multi-omics Blood ATlas (COMBAT) Consortium. Electronic address: julian.knight@well.ox.ac.uk None. and COvid-19 Multi-omics Blood ATlas (COMBAT) Consortium None., (2022), Cell, 185, 916 - 938.e58
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Immune cell census in murine atherosclerosis: cytometry by time of flight illuminates vascular myeloid cell diversity.
Cole JE. et al, (2018), Cardiovasc Res, 114, 1360 - 1371
Booking and access
We welcome external projects both as a provided-for-service or as a more official collaboration.
Please contact David Ahern.