Gizmo's
and Gadgets sorting out Cells
Christopher
Brownlee - Technical Support - Flow Cytometry
The Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology
My
April 12th was highlighted by the handling and sorting of
precious cells extracted from human blood by running them
through a high throughput FACS Aria machine (using 5 colours
off 4 lasers).
We got a purity of nearly 100% .This cell population is so
hard to get information on, no-one really knows what
these cells do in the Immune system, so after our
sort is complete we can analyse the cells and start to understand
how these T-cells work in our bodies.. Such a pure population
is very rare....and yes, if you cant tell I'm pretty stoked
it worked so well.
My career as a Flow Cytometrist began working with Animals
of all things. I developed Anaphylaxis to the mice I worked
with here at the Centenary Cancer Institute of Cell Biology,
and gained a respect for the human immune system and
its power. So, I began working a Lab as a research
assistant (not having a done a degree..yet) and found a passion
for microscope work, fluorescent tags on cells, histology
and other micro, cool coloured things.
Then i moved into a position where I get to use lasers to
find the cells, and also sort out these populations for scientists
so they can do their research, which is known as Flow Cytometry,
and here I am beginning my degree in Bio
Technology at RMIT via correspondence in May this year, also
working fulltime...it can be done!
I enjoyed chemistry, i wasn't that into Biology, I really
enjoyed art and photography,computers, technology..gadgets
and things, and I was good at English..so,
when I didn't get into uni (vet science) ..went to TAFE, did
Animal Technology, and ended up here.
I have always loved animals
so my career has stemmed from my passion and respect of animals,
and from there its taken me more into the scientific field.
It's funny, I have always done science, been "stuck"
in science as there was always work here for me to do, it
is only now that I really love what I do and have found the
niche that lets me apply my fascination with cells, artistic
qualities and computer technology.
Links..hmm well, my suggestions are: google images on cells,
flourescence staining, Flow Cytometry and Histology.. The
images will amaze you, and you'll see why I love what I do.
Science is a broad and wonderful field that encompasses so
many elements and fundamentals of humanity. It is
another world down the eyes of a microscope. Have
a look for yourself; it is how many of us fell in love with
this career.
Good luck in all your endeavours, and follow your heart.
Here are some links to some interesting images:
nobelprize.org
www.omegafilters.com
www.olympusmicro.com
www.microscopyu.com
www.cyto.purdue.edu
www.drmr.com
www.flojo.com
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