# Research Flow Cytometer for Research and Education Capacity Building at St. Mary's University

> **NIH NIH S10** · ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $208,915

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The goal of this proposal is to acquire a Beckman Coulter CytoFlex instrument for flow cytometry that
will be housed at St. Mary’s University in a collaborative lab space to support scientific research and
educational projects in basic, translational, and biomedically-related disciplines. Flow cytometry is a
useful technique for the analyses of cells and particles. The number of parameters that can be rapidly
assessed from cells or particles in solution is wide ranging and includes counting cells or particles,
assessing size, cell cycle stage, protein expression, and modifications, among others. The major,
minor, and future users of the instrument include research-active faculty in the department of
biological sciences with a variety of research interests that include immunology, cancer, microbiology,
genetics, and cardiovascular disease. Important users also include students enrolled in core biology
and biochemistry coursework and advanced biology classes like Toxicology and Immunology &
Infection that offer course-based undergraduate research experiences (CURE). The CytoFlex
instrument has been selected because 1) it is incredibly versatile and can accommodate the diversity
of research and users at our institution; 2) it is easy to use and maintain, without specially-trained
staff; and 3) it will expose undergraduates to instrumentation that is commonly found in state-of-the
art research and clinical diagnostic laboratories, thus better preparing them for the biomedical
workforce. Faculty and student access to this kind of technology will benefit all users, increase
research productivity, foster the development of St. Mary’s biomedical research culture, improve
STEM education, and be important for recruiting and retaining future faculty.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10880015
- **Project number:** 1S10GM154260-01
- **Recipient organization:** ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Veronica E Contreras-Shannon
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $208,915
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-01 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10880015

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10880015, Research Flow Cytometer for Research and Education Capacity Building at St. Mary's University (1S10GM154260-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10880015. Licensed CC0.

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