Research Facilities and Resources
Flow cytometry and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) have enabled basic and clinical research to move in important new directions. These techniques are used to rapidly classify and separate cells or other small particles based on the intensity of their fluorescence.
The Flow Cytometry facility, located in a 4,300 sq. ft. laboratory in the Brander Cancer Research Institute, provides investigators with the instrumentation and technical support that are essential to obtaining accurate results. The facility contains sample preparation areas, tissue culture facilities and a molecular biology lab for gels and flow cytometry instrumentation. The Brander Cancer Research Institute is an international leader in drug and research programs for leukemia, lymphoma and breast cancer. It is known for its investigations into molecular control of cell proliferation and apoptosis or "cell suicide."
Instrumentation
A Coulter Elite ESP flow cytometer/sorter equipped with three laser light sources for simultaneous excitation in the UV, blue and red; six parameter acquisition and analysis and sorting, both preparative and via autoclone; ICP 22 flow cytometer (mercury arc-based) for highly accurate DNA measurements; FACScan flow cytometer for three-color analysis of DNA and intracellular and/or cell surface markers; and a CompuCyte laser scanning cytometer for analysis of fluorescent stained cells on slides--at rates of several hundred cells/second--with the capacity to revisit cells, restain cells on the slide and create a photomontage of selected cells.
Zeiss spectrophotometer, Bio Rad pulse-field and slab gel electrophoresis apparatus, Nikon Microphot FXA fluorescence microscope with interference optics and automatic 35-mm and 4x5 cameras and spot photometer, molecular biology facilities including gel and pulse gel electrophoresis and Hybaid and Perkin Elmer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instruments.
Flow cytometry data analysis systems, primarily IBM PC-based; and software for acquiring data, data analysis and for converting HP files to IBM-based files. Each flow cytometer is connected to its own dedicated computer and laser printer. One system affords capability in simultaneous data gathering and analysis.
Areas of Specialization
Studies are progressing in the areas of apoptosis, cell cycle and mechanism of action of anti-tumor drugs. New cytochemical and molecular methods applicable to flow cytometry and static cytometry are being developed to assist in this research. Clinical research is ongoing in the areas of leukemia (analysis of individual patient response to chemotherapy), prostate cancer (testing of natural product therapy) and melanoma (effects of low fat diet).
Contacts:Zbigniew Darzynkiewicz, M.D., Ph.D., Director
Professor of Medicine, Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology
Frank Traganos, Ph.D., Associate DirectorProfessor of Medicine,Immunology and Microbiology
Brander Cancer Research Institute
New York Medical College
19 Bradhurst Avenue
Hawthorne, NY 10532
Tel: 914/347-2801
Fax: 914/347-2804
E-Mail: frank_traganos@nymc.edu
