GIMM’s Flow Cytometry Platform has expanded its capabilities with the installation of a new spectral cell sorter, a state-of-the-art instrument that allows researchers not only to analyse cells and particles in unprecedented detail, but also to isolate specific populations for downstream applications such as metabolomics, proteomics, electron microscopy and advanced molecular analyses.

Cell sorting is a powerful technology that enables scientists to identify and separate cells based on characteristics such as relative size, complexity and fluorescence. Widely used across disciplines ranging from immunology and molecular biology to parasitology and virology, it is an essential tool for obtaining pure cell populations for research.

“The new sorter represents a significant technological leap”, underlines Mariana Fernandes, the head of the Flow Cytometry at GIMM. Unlike conventional instruments, it uses spectral flow cytometry, allowing researchers to actually analyse up to 50 parameters simultaneously at the single-cell level. This technology also takes in account cellular autofluorescence as an individual parameter, improving the detection of rare or dim cell populations that were previously difficult to study.

In addition, the instrument combines spectral analysis with imaging capabilities, enabling cells to be sorted not only according to fluorescent signatures but also based on visual characteristics. This provides researchers with a more complete picture of each cell and allows for more precise selection strategies, particularly in experiments where cell morphology plays a critical role.

The system is housed within a biosafety cabinet, ensuring safe operation when handling human or infectious samples. It is currently one of the few instruments in Portugal with these combined capabilities and in Lisbon, is only available at GIMM, making it a valuable resource not only for GIMM researchers but also for external academic and industry users from across the country. The acquisition and installation process took several months and involved the coordinated efforts of multiple teams, from procurement and infrastructure to logistics and scientific staff. Following a month of preparation and facility adaptations, the sorter was installed and fully operational within a few days, opening the door to a new generation of high-resolution cell analysis and cell sorting at GIMM.