Cytometry in High-Containment Laboratories

Abstract

The emergence of new pathogens continues to fuel the need for advanced high-containment laboratories across the globe. Here we explore challenges and opportunities for integration of cytometry, a central technology for cell analysis, within high-containment laboratories. We review current applications in infectious disease, vaccine research, and biosafety. Considerations specific to cytometry within high-containment laboratories, such as biosafety requirements, and sample containment strategies are also addressed. We further tour the landscape of emerging technologies, including combination of cytometry with other omics, the application of automation, and artificial intelligence. Finally, we propose a framework to fast track the immersion of advanced technologies into the high-containment research setting to improve global preparedness for new emerging diseases.

Keywords: Aerosols; Biosafety; CYTOF; Cell analysis; Cell sorting; Cytometry; Emerging pathogens; Flow cytometry; High containment; Infectious disease; Infectious sample; Multiomics; Public health.