USask Secures $460,000 for Advanced Cell Sorting Technology

A collaborative proposal from the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Medicine, and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) has secured over $460,000 in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leadership Fund (JELF). This funding will facilitate the acquisition of cutting-edge technology designed to sort biological samples by cell type.

Dr. Volker Gerdts, director of VIDO and a professor at WCVM, emphasized the significance of this funding, stating, “Research is accelerating at USask. We’re doing state-of-the-art work that is nationally and internationally competitive.” The new cell sorting machine utilizes fluorescence-based technology to differentiate various cell types within a sample as it passes through lasers, a process likened to how a coin sorter categorizes coins by size.

The advanced equipment allows researchers to selectively separate individual immune cells for further analysis, enhancing the characterization of immune responses. “The machine allows you to sort individual immune cells and then use them in further analysis to characterize the immune response,” Gerdts explained.

Enhancing Research Capabilities at USask

The CFI-JELF initiative aims to attract and retain talented researchers while providing essential equipment to support innovative research. Alongside Gerdts, the project includes contributions from Dr. Peter Pioli, who works in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and Dr. Gurpreet Aulakh from WCVM. Aulakh noted that the new technology will significantly enhance both the capability and efficiency of USask researchers across various disciplines.

Traditional cell sorting methods, particularly those involving microscopy, are often time-consuming and labor-intensive. Aulakh remarked, “Cell sorting using more standard microscopy takes a tremendous amount of time and effort. This new cell sorting machine will allow for more in-depth and expedited projects.” She described the new equipment as a “workhorse” that maximizes the use of limited sample sizes.

The newly acquired cell sorting technology will be housed at VIDO but will be accessible to researchers from different units across USask, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.

Fostering Collaborative Research

Dr. Pioli, whose research focuses on autoimmunity and antibody-secreting cells, highlighted the challenges of studying rare cell populations, such as stem cells, without extracting them from organisms. The new cell sorter will enable researchers to isolate specific cell types from samples, allowing for detailed studies on how diseases affect different cell functions.

Pioli articulated the importance of collaboration among the three USask units, stating that this joint effort contributed to the successful CFI-JELF application. He believes that such cooperation will foster continued joint research, solidifying USask’s position as a leader in biological and medicinal research for both humans and animals.

The competitive nature of CFI programs underscores the significance of this funding award. Pioli remarked, “What this funding tells me is that people see the potential of what can be done here. You don’t back a horse that you think is going to lose.” He added that receiving over $400,000 to invest in infrastructure reflects confidence in the research capabilities of USask and its researchers.

In summary, the funding acquired through the CFI-JELF will not only enhance the technological capabilities of USask researchers but also promote collaborative efforts that are essential for advancing medical and biological research. With this new cell sorting technology, USask is poised to make significant contributions to the scientific community both locally and globally.