PROJECT SUMMARY: Flow Cytometry Core The Vanderbilt Digestive Disease Flow Cytometry Core (VDDFCC) is an established and highly utilized Core supported by the VDDRC. It was developed in direct response to member requests and approved by the Executive Committee and the Scientific Advisory Board with substantial institutional support provided by Vanderbilt. This Core provides state-of-the-art equipment for analytical spectral flow cytometry, classical flow cytometry, and cell sorting. To complement this technology, the VDDFCC provides expert consultation on experimental design, optimization, and analysis along with a multi-tiered approach to a customizable training program for VDDRC members. Sixty VDDRC members have benefitted from this Core over the current funding period which led to 90 peer-reviewed original publications. The VDDFCC maintains 4 classical analytical cytometers, 3 cell sorters and a spectral flow cytometer that has been acquired within the current funding period. The spectral flow cytometer uses 48 channels for fluorescent detection, which allows VDDRC investigators to maximize panel design for rare and critical samples. Training is accomplished through both group and individual interactions to develop and maintain the highest proficiency with these technologies. Trained users have the ability to utilize the analytical cytometers on a 24 hour/7 days a week basis, 365 days a year. VDDRC members have also benefitted from collaborations between the VDDFCC and other VDDRC Cores such as the Translational Analysis Core and the Cell Imaging Core, as well as institutional shared resources such as the Vanderbilt Technologies for Advanced Genomics Core (for single cell and single nucleus isolation and RNASeq) to enhance their digestive disease research discoveries. Digestive disease research often requires customized modification of instrumentation settings, configuration, and on rare occasions fabrication of specialized parts to increase an instrument’s capability. The VDDFCC works closely with the instrument manufacturers to facilitate these modifications. Specific recommendations for adipose tissue multicolor panel design, isolation of nuclei from intestinal tract samples, and optimized conditions for sorting intestinal and gastric organoids are just a few examples of digestive disease-specific services regularly provided by the VDDFCC to VDDRC members. The VDDFCC has also implemented specific open-office hours exclusively available to VDDRC members for the sole purpose of elevating and accomplishing digestive disease research at Vanderbilt. As a shared resource, the VDDFCC offers access to technologies, services, and expertise to all VDDRC members unattainable by most individual labs due to high costs and field-specific experience. In sum, the overall strategy and goals of the VDDFCC are specifically guided by the needs of VDDRC members, which consequently adds depth and impact to their studies, allowing this Core to function as a scien...