The Centre for Advanced Single Cell Analysis (CASCA) provides technical platforms and scientific expertise to perform “deep” immune profiling of single cells using mass cytometry and single cell RNA-Seq. We support use of our high content single cell analysis platforms in fundamental research projects as well as “Precision Medicine” research initiatives. Our platforms offer unprecedented depth for analyzing single cells in suspension or tissue sections from mice or humans for discovery and translational research projects.
Mass cytometry uses time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer-coupled flow cytometers (known as CyTOFs) to allow “deep” profiling of single cells in heterogeneous populations. Antibodies (Ab) or other cellular probes are tagged with heavy metals (atomic mass 89-209) rather than fluorochromes, avoiding “spillover” problems that limit extensive multi-plexing in flow cytometry to analyze >50 metal-tagged markers per cell. The unsurpassed multiplex capability and sensitivity of CyTOF makes it possible to obtain a “systems” view of the development and function of the immune system at a single cell level.
