The Flow Cytometry Core Facility Experience - ELRIGelrig.org/downloads/fci14/PFC14-DDavies.pdf ·...

The Flow Cytometry Core Facility Experience

Derek Davies London Research Ins�tute

ELRIG Pharmaceu�cal Flow Cytometry 2014

The Flow Cytometry Core Facility Experience

� Establishment, growth and success � Benefits of centralisa�on � Challenges for management � Metrics of success � Adding value

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Why is (flow) cytometry important?

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Flow cytometry publica�ons 1975-‐2013


Centralises the hardware Centralises the exper�se

Why is a core cytometry facility important?

It’s self evident but do we want to get there and, if so, how?


Let’s talk about me…


Let’s talk about me…

� Established core facility � Started mid 1980’s � Strong culture of development � Large staff level � Proac�ve internally � Proac�ve externally � Courses � Mee�ngs � Collabora�on


Incep�on………..…..Growth…………….….Maturity

Star�ng from scratch


Staff

Equipment

This is the growth of the LRI Lab, 1990…..


Appropriate staff level

The same old user level

Appropriate hardware level

… to today


Idea Product

This is what we do…

Advice and assay design

Training

Cytometer opera�on

Analysis and interpreta�on

Future planning


Line Manager User Group

Core Manager

Budget Control

Service Charges

Technology awareness and evalua�on

Advice to Lab Users

Adver�sement

Ancillary services

Technical development

Data control

User training and supervision

Cell sorter opera�on

Analy�cal cytometer opera�on

Supervision and career development

Facility Staff

User Base

This is what we do…

�  Natural resistance to change

�  No clear benefit

�  May need new skills/techniques

�  Self interest

�  Fear of the unknown

�  Perceived as a risk

How can we go about this? There are hurdles to overcome…


� Process is never passive, all par�es take an ac�ve role �  Change driven internally

�  Innova�on �  Users needs �  Improvement �  Efficiency

�  Change driven externally

�  Regula�ons �  Organisa�on �  Equipment obsolescence

How can we go about this? There are hurdles to overcome…


•  Analy�cal Technology: What is needed to cover Lab remit? •  Sor�ng Technology: Is it required? If so, what? •  Clinical Applica�ons: Will flow cytometry technology be used for IVD

•  Will Lab need cer�fica�on? CLP? GLP? GMP? •  Future Laboratory Requirements: Will you need to “grow” the facility? Addi�onal hardware? New technologies?

What should the Core Lab provide?

How can we go about this?


•  General Laboratory environment / Health and Safety

•  Business planning

•  Opera�onal issues

•  Staffing and staff reten�on

Not all considera�ons are cytometry-‐related

How can we go about this?


�  Direct funding �  Own grant wri�ng

�  Fee for service � PAYG

� Contracted

Where does funding come from?


User Support: Training and supervision of Users

  Hands-‐on support for new users   Support for Experienced Users -‐ Advanced Data Acquisi�on -‐ Advanced Troubleshoo�ng

  Experimental Design Consulta�on -‐ Basic Sample Prepara�on -‐  Fluorescent Reagent Choice -‐  Experimental analysis

Tasks performed by Staff


�  Self evalua�on – do we provide what users want? �  How accessible are the services? �  How welcoming is the environment? �  Partners not customers �  Add value �  Teaching important as it expands knowledge

Opera�onal considera�ons

Constant monitoring of service provision


�  Be efficient (and make sure efficiencies are seen) �  Staff development and reten�on �  Ensure quality �  Plan for the future �  Re-‐invest �  Open door policy




�  Robust research �  New and emerging technologies �  R&D



Mission statement and vision “Cu�ng edge technology and development, integra�ng with, and adding value to, research.”

Research is a risky business – need to manage risk


Usage tracking:

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Plateau indicates max capacity or max usage

More machines or more users!

Metrics of success


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Phenotyping: Thymo

Phenotyping: Cultured cells

Phenotyping: B/T cells

Phenotyping: Other

Fluorescent Proteins

Asceptic Sorting

Sorting for microarray

Sorting for RNA

DNA analysis

Apoptosis Analysis

BrdU Analysis

Development

Usage can show when new equipment needed and allows targe�ng of the right people.

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Metrics of success


Surveys

What the facility does well

What it does not so well

Use several methods

Talk to users!

Customer sa�sfac�on

Keep up the good work


Interac�on with users

Go to Lab mee�ngs and seminars

Be accessible, go walkabout, drink coffee

Become involved with the science

Interac�on with other cores

Go to conferences with cytometry content

Business cards with mul�ple contacts

Core Heads Group especially allied technologies



Cer�fica�on SOPs ISO9001 ICCE ISAC SRL

GxP – 21CFR



Cancer Chromosomes DNA replica�on DNA repair Vascular Biology Cell signalling Stem Cells Immunity Structural Biology

Human Health Developmental Biology Neurobiology Immunity and infec�on Immunoregula�on Mycobacteria Parasitology Physiology Virology

Drug development HTS Chemistry Others?

Challenges for the future


New hardware

Be�er training Be�er educa�on

New technology



Summary

What can centralisa�on add?

�  The ability to get moving using established technology �  The ability to introduce techniques using experienced staff who understand the technology

�  Be at the forefront of newer developments by being seen as expert by manufacturers

�  Introduc�on and awareness of current Best Prac�ces


Summary

[email protected]


The Flow Cytometry Core Facility Experience - ELRIGelrig.org/downloads/fci14/PFC14-DDavies.pdf ·...

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