Single-Cell Technologies in Life Sciences

Life Sciences research at the level of individual cells is a rapidly developing research area. Traditional single-cell technologies such as cytometry and microscopy are being used in combination with the  emerging field of single-cell genomics. 

WHO SHOULD JOIN?
Final year Bachelor's and Master’s students taking a Life Sciences programme, but the course is also open to Medical Engineering, Computational Biology, and Medical Sciences students

COURSE CONTENT
Life Sciences research at the level of individual cells is a rapidly developing research area. Traditional single-cell technologies such as cytometry and microscopy are being used in combination with the  emerging field of single-cell genomics. These single-cell technologies have important implications for our understanding of cellular behaviour, including cellular development, differentiation and decision-making. Cellular  processes can now be studied at an unprecedented resolution, and with astounding results: new light can now be shed on immunity and immune-related disorders, infectious diseases, and cancer. Understanding the technology behind these new applications is crucial to the processing and interpretation of data.  

This intensive course combines theory with practice and will provide participants with in-depth and up-to-date expertise on advanced cytometry and microscopic imaging techniques. It is sure to be invaluable to everyone who is planning to complete a research internship. The course is divided into two parts: cytometry and microscopy. The cytometry lectures will teach students the principles of fluorescence cytometry analysis and sorting, imaging flow cytometry, and mass cytometry. Students will also be required to attend a demonstration session on cytometry and will learn all about essential data analysis methods (from multicolour cytometry to multidimensional data analysis) through tutorials and work group sessions. This part of the course will include an exciting  lecture on the emerging field of single-cell genomics. The second part of the course will focus on light microscopy on live and fixed specimens, confocal laser scanning microscopy, electron microscopy, and light-sheet microscopy. Special attention will be given to image analysis in a tutorial on ImageJ and  other commonly used software applications.

EXCURSIONS
The course includes site visits to the microscopy and flow cytometry facility at VU University Medical Center. 
A guest speaker from a leading biotech firm will be invited to share their own personal and professional experiences in the field of single-cell technologies, as well as their views on the development of the field.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing the course, students will: 
•  Have in-depth knowledge of the applications of advanced cytometry and microscopic imaging techniques; 
•  Be familiar with the principles of fluorescence cytometry analysis and sorting, imaging flow cytometry  and mass cytometry; 
•  Understand essential analysis data methods for multicolour cytometry; 
•  Know the basics of multidimensional data analysis; 
•  Be able to distinguish applications of single-cell genomics methods; 
•  Grasp the principles of light microscopy on live and fixed specimens, confocal laser scanning microscopy, electron microscopy, and light sheet microscopy; 
•  Know more about essential data analysis methods and ImageJ; 
•  Be familiar with advanced imaging methods, such as SIM, TIRF, and super resolution modalities.

ABOUT THE PROFESSOR
Dr Garcia-Vallejo was born and raised in southern Spain. He was a bright student who developed  a keen interest in Science and Technology at an early age. In 1999, soon after obtaining his MD from the University of Malaga, he started working at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam to pursue his dream of becoming a technology-minded translational immunologist. His current research focuses on deciphering the escape mechanisms of deadly tumours such as pancreatic and brain cancer using immune cytomics methods with the aim of identifying new targets for diagnostics and therapy. Dr Garcia-Vallejo is a recognized expert in the emerging fields of imaging flow cytometry and mass cytometry. Since his appointment as an Assistant Professor at the Dept. of Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology of VU University Medical Center in 2014, he has succeeded in establishing O2Flow, the most comprehensive and technologically advanced cytometry facility in the Netherlands. 

Quote: “We need to take this process one cell at a time in order to better understand human health and the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of diseases.”