Core facilities 9 core facilities | Next-Gen Flow Cytometry & Sorting

Next-Gen Flow
Cytometry & Sorting

Next-Gen flow
Cytometry & Sorting

Technical
Expert

The Next-Gen flow Cytometry & Sorting Core Facility provides advanced services in multiparametric flow cytometry and mass cytometry, supporting experimental design, antibody panel development, training, and data analysis.

Its mission is to enable cutting-edge, high-dimensional single-cell analysis to foster translational and precision research.

Dr. Gloria Olearo

INSTRUMENTS

The facility is equipped with:

  • BD FACSymphony™ A5: High-parameter cytometer (5 lasers, 31 detectors) for up to 29-color analysis.
  • BD FACSCanto™ II: User-friendly analyzer with HTS option for high-throughput analysis (3 lasers, 10 detectors).
  • BD FACSAria™ Fusion: High-performance, biosafety-equipped cell sorter (4-way, 14-color sorting).
  • BD Rhapsody™ System: Single-cell capture and barcoding platform for transcriptomic and proteomic profiling.
  • Helios™ Mass Cytometer: High-dimensional single-cell analysis using metal-tagged antibodies (up to 45 markers).
  • Hyperion™ Imaging System: Mass cytometry-based imaging for spatial profiling in tissues (>1 mm² scan area, >40 markers).

 

Reserve instruments

To reserve instruments, use the “Agendo” management system: https://upo.agendoscience.com/.

Infrastucture units

The Core Facility is composed of two Infrastructure Units:

1. Multiparametric flow cytometry with cell sorting capabilities and Rhapsody system for single-cell RNA sequencing

The multiparametric flow cytometry unit with cell sorting capabilities enables rapid and precise analysis (via 2 analyzers) and isolation (via 1 cell sorter) of cellular subpopulations. The Rhapsody system for single-cell RNA sequencing allows for the characterization of the transcriptomic profile of individual cells, integrating it with various surface markers through the use of oligonucleotide-conjugated antibodies. This provides unprecedented resolution in the study of cellular heterogeneity.

Scientific supervisor: Dr. Davide Raineri

The Unit offers:

  • Multiparametric analysis of up to 30 cellular markers simultaneously.
  • Cell sorting (up to 4 populations simultaneously, including plate-based sorting).
  • scRNA-seq library preparation using BD Rhapsody technology.

2. Mass cytometry (CyTOF) combined with Hyperion imaging

The mass cytometry unit enables the simultaneous analysis of over 40 parameters in single-cell suspensions. In addition, integration with the Hyperion imaging mass cytometry system allows a high-resolution spatial exploration of tissue architecture, supporting advanced studies of the tissue microenvironment and cell interactions.

Scientific supervisor: Prof. Annalisa Chiocchetti

The Unit offers:

  • Cytometric analysis of cell suspensions with over 40 markers.
  • High-resolution spatial imaging mass cytometry on tissue sections (FFPE and snap-frozen).

Publications

Venegoni, C.; Raineri, D.; Mazzucca, C. B.; Ghazanfar, A.; Cappellano, G.; Baricich, A.; Patrucco, F.; Zeppegno, P.; Gramaglia, C.; Balbo, P. E.; Cantaluppi, V.; Patti, G.; Giordano, M.; Manfredi, M.; Rolla, R.; Sainaghi, P. P.; Pirisi, M.; Bellan, M.; Chiocchetti, A. Post-COVID-19 Sequelae Are Associated with Sustained SARS-CoV-2-Specific CD4+ Immune Responses. Int. Immunopharmacol. 2025, 148, 114103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2025.114103.

Stolfi, F.; Brasso, C.; Raineri, D.; Landra, V.; Mazzucca, C. B.; Ghazanfar, A.; Scotti, L.; Sinella, R.; Villari, V.; Cappellano, G.; Rocca, P.; Chiocchetti, A. Deep Immunophenotyping of Circulating Immune Cells in Major Depressive Disorder Patients Reveals Immune Correlates of Clinical Course and Treatment Response. Brain Behav. Immun. – Health 2025, 43, 100942. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100942.

Raineri, D.; Mazzucca, C. B.; Moia, R.; Bruna, R.; Kustrimovic, N.; Cappellano, G.; Bellan, M.; Perazzi, M.; Gaidano, G.; Chiocchetti, A. Impairment of the T Cell Memory Response in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination. Vaccine 2025, 48, 126723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126723.

Raineri, D.; Savastio, S.; Bellone, S.; Scotti, L.; Barbero-Mazzucca, C.; Cappellano, G.; Prodam, F.; Pozzi, E.; Rabbone, I.; Chiocchetti, A. Memory Regulatory T Cells as a Biomarker of Early Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes 2026, 75 (4), 676–682. https://doi.org/10.2337/db25-0161.

CONTACTS

For any information, please contact
corefacilities.ipazia@uniupo.it

For any information, please contact
corefacilities.ipazia@uniupo.it
or segreteria.caad@uniupo.it

CAAD

Center for Translational Research on
Autoimmune and Allergic Disease

Centro di Ricerca Traslazionale
sulle Malattie Autoimmuni e Allergiche

Corso Trieste 15/A
Novara – 28100 (ITALY)

Next-Gen Flow
Cytometry & Sorting

Next-Gen flow
Cytometry & Sorting

The Next-Gen flow Cytometry & Sorting Core Facility provides advanced services in multiparametric flow cytometry and mass cytometry, supporting experimental design, antibody panel development, training, and data analysis.

Its mission is to enable cutting-edge, high-dimensional single-cell analysis to foster translational and precision research.

Technical
Expert

Dr. Gloria Olearo

INSTRUMENTS

The facility is equipped with:

  • BD FACSymphony™ A5: High-parameter cytometer (5 lasers, 31 detectors) for up to 29-color analysis.
  • BD FACSCanto™ II: User-friendly analyzer with HTS option for high-throughput analysis (3 lasers, 10 detectors).
  • BD FACSAria™ Fusion: High-performance, biosafety-equipped cell sorter (4-way, 14-color sorting).
  • BD Rhapsody™ System: Single-cell capture and barcoding platform for transcriptomic and proteomic profiling.
  • Helios™ Mass Cytometer: High-dimensional single-cell analysis using metal-tagged antibodies (up to 45 markers).
  • Hyperion™ Imaging System: Mass cytometry-based imaging for spatial profiling in tissues (>1 mm² scan area, >40 markers).

 

Reserve instruments

To reserve instruments, use the “Agendo” management system: https://upo.agendoscience.com/.

Infrastucture units

The Core Facility is composed of two Infrastructure Units:

1. Multiparametric flow cytometry with cell sorting capabilities and Rhapsody system for single-cell RNA sequencing

The multiparametric flow cytometry unit with cell sorting capabilities enables rapid and precise analysis (via 2 analyzers) and isolation (via 1 cell sorter) of cellular subpopulations. The Rhapsody system for single-cell RNA sequencing allows for the characterization of the transcriptomic profile of individual cells, integrating it with various surface markers through the use of oligonucleotide-conjugated antibodies. This provides unprecedented resolution in the study of cellular heterogeneity.

Scientific supervisor: Dr. Davide Raineri

The Unit offers:

  • Multiparametric analysis of up to 30 cellular markers simultaneously.
  • Cell sorting (up to 4 populations simultaneously, including plate-based sorting).
  • scRNA-seq library preparation using BD Rhapsody technology.

2. Mass cytometry (CyTOF) combined with Hyperion imaging

The mass cytometry unit enables the simultaneous analysis of over 40 parameters in single-cell suspensions. In addition, integration with the Hyperion imaging mass cytometry system allows a high-resolution spatial exploration of tissue architecture, supporting advanced studies of the tissue microenvironment and cell interactions.

Scientific supervisor: Prof. Annalisa Chiocchetti

The Unit offers:

  • Cytometric analysis of cell suspensions with over 40 markers.
  • High-resolution spatial imaging mass cytometry on tissue sections (FFPE and snap-frozen).

Publications

Venegoni, C.; Raineri, D.; Mazzucca, C. B.; Ghazanfar, A.; Cappellano, G.; Baricich, A.; Patrucco, F.; Zeppegno, P.; Gramaglia, C.; Balbo, P. E.; Cantaluppi, V.; Patti, G.; Giordano, M.; Manfredi, M.; Rolla, R.; Sainaghi, P. P.; Pirisi, M.; Bellan, M.; Chiocchetti, A. Post-COVID-19 Sequelae Are Associated with Sustained SARS-CoV-2-Specific CD4+ Immune Responses. Int. Immunopharmacol. 2025, 148, 114103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2025.114103.

Stolfi, F.; Brasso, C.; Raineri, D.; Landra, V.; Mazzucca, C. B.; Ghazanfar, A.; Scotti, L.; Sinella, R.; Villari, V.; Cappellano, G.; Rocca, P.; Chiocchetti, A. Deep Immunophenotyping of Circulating Immune Cells in Major Depressive Disorder Patients Reveals Immune Correlates of Clinical Course and Treatment Response. Brain Behav. Immun. – Health 2025, 43, 100942. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100942.

Raineri, D.; Mazzucca, C. B.; Moia, R.; Bruna, R.; Kustrimovic, N.; Cappellano, G.; Bellan, M.; Perazzi, M.; Gaidano, G.; Chiocchetti, A. Impairment of the T Cell Memory Response in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination. Vaccine 2025, 48, 126723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126723.

Raineri, D.; Savastio, S.; Bellone, S.; Scotti, L.; Barbero-Mazzucca, C.; Cappellano, G.; Prodam, F.; Pozzi, E.; Rabbone, I.; Chiocchetti, A. Memory Regulatory T Cells as a Biomarker of Early Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes 2026, 75 (4), 676–682. https://doi.org/10.2337/db25-0161.

CONTACTS

For any information, please contact
corefacilities.ipazia@uniupo.it

For any information, please contact
corefacilities.ipazia@uniupo.it
or segreteria.caad@uniupo.it

CAAD

Center for Translational Research on
Autoimmune and Allergic Disease

Centro di Ricerca Traslazionale
sulle Malattie Autoimmuni e Allergiche

Corso Trieste 15/A
Novara – 28100 (ITALY)