Imaging-Enabled Flow Cytometry for Enhancing Extracellular Vesicle, Lipid Nanoparticle, and Cell Morphology Characterization

About This Grant

PROJECT SUMMARY Researchers at the University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez (UPRM) request support to acquire the Attune CytPix Flow Cytometer. This high-performance instrument uniquely integrates bright-field imaging with multiparameter flow cytometry for real-time, high-throughput analysis of cells and nanoscale particles. Equipped with two excitation lasers (405 nm and 488 nm) and supporting future upgrades, the system also includes a small particle detector with optimized filters for analyzing particles as small as 100 nm, and an autosampler for high-throughput evaluation of multiple specimens. It enables the simultaneous collection of fluorescence signals and label-free bright-field images, providing over 25 morphological parameters that enhance gating, quality control, and data interpretation. This capability is essential for characterizing extracellular vesicles (EVs), lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and cellular phenotypes in response to environmental and therapeutic stimuli. The instrument addresses three pressing gaps in UPRM’s infrastructure: (1) the absence of a cytometer capable of resolving and validating small particles with image-based analysis; (2) the lack of integrated systems that support real-time morphology assessment and computational modeling; and (3) the reliance on a single aging cytometer with limited resolution, throughput, and access. The Attune CytPix will support NIH- and NSF-funded research spanning regenerative medicine, cancer biology, cell manufacturing, and nanomedicine, including projects led by Dr. Camilo Mora (mid-career), Dr. Maribella Domenech (established), Dr. Claribel Acevedo (established), Dr. Jose Carmona (early-career), and Dr. Michael Álvarez (early-career). The proposal strengthens interdepartmental and intercampus collaboration by enabling coordinated experimentation and data sharing between research groups in Engineering, Bioengineering, Chemistry, Biology at UPRM, and Computer Science at UPR–Rio Piedras. The instrument will be housed in a dedicated BSL-2 core facility in the Department of Chemical Engineering and will be co-managed by Drs. Mora and Domenech, who bring complementary expertise in flow cytometry, bioimaging, and EV-based applications. Dr. Domenech, with a strong track record in flow cytometry experimental design and user training, will work alongside Dr. Mora to lead user onboarding, ensure data quality, and maintain the operational continuity of the system. The instrument will also serve as a training platform for undergraduate and graduate students engaged in bioprocessing, biosensing, and advanced cytometry, with integration into research-based coursework and lab-based instruction. It will be a key resource for researchers and students in Engineering, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Chemistry, and related fields at the University of Puerto Rico, a leading STEM- focused institution and a key contributor to the national scientific workforce. The Attune CytPix will significantly enhance UPRM’s biomedical research capacity, enable high-resolution particle and cell analysis, and support the long-term development of a technically skilled research workforce in our jurisdiction.