Okayama University Enhances Research Support Through Flow Cytometer Training for Technical Staff

Overview

In an effort to elevate the capabilities of its technical staff, Okayama University has launched an intermediate curriculum on flow cytometry as part of the TC College's biomedical engineering course. This training occurred at the Shikata Campus and coincided with the 90th Medical School Joint Laboratory Seminar focused on the fundamentals of flow cytometry.

The program consisted of two sessions: the first, an online lecture held on September 4, followed by a hybrid practical session on September 7 that combined both in-person and online participation. Notably, experienced instructors from the university and Kyushu University facilitated the training, demonstrating the collaborative spirit in academic technical education.

During the seminar, Kazuyuki Maruyama, a technical specialist of the university's Comprehensive Technical Division, and Jun Seki Endo, a technical staff member at Kyushu University's Faculty of Agriculture, participated in the hands-on training. In addition to outsiders enrolled in the biomedical engineering course, there was one attendee from a management course, highlighting the program's interdisciplinary approach.

Yukinori Isomoto, a technical specialist in the Medical Technical Division, served as the main lecturer. He covered the types, structures, and analytic principles of flow cytometers while also introducing the newly implemented CytoFlex flow cytometer. Participants were trained not only on the specifications of this advanced instrument but also on the practical aspects of measurement and sample adjustments, using real samples provided by the attendees. Moreover, explanations regarding the operation of the cell sorter 'FACSAria3' were included, enriching the overall educational experience.

For this year's curriculum, an additional focus was placed on disassembling older models of flow cytometers, allowing participants to learn about the internal components, including optical paths. Maruyama commented on the course, stating, "Through both lectures and practical exercises, I systematically learned about flow cytometry from the basics to practical application. The content was easy to understand even for those with no prior experience, making it an enriching curriculum that deepened our understanding of the instruments and measurement principles."

Endo added, "This experience has been eye-opening as I had never had the opportunity to witness flow cytometer operations or user training at other institutions. The insights regarding equipment maintenance and user support proved to be highly informative."

Deputy Director of the Comprehensive Technical Division, Nobuhito Sato, also the university's Vice President and Senior URA, emphasized the institution's commitment to enhancing the skills of its technical staff through various initiatives, of which the TC College program is a key component. He noted, "Our efforts are not solely focused on our staff but also aim to provide development opportunities for technical personnel from other universities, research institutions, and companies. Such initiatives align with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's and JST’s ‘Advanced Research Infrastructure Reform Project (EPOCH)’, and we are dedicated to advancing the capabilities of technical staff supporting research infrastructure in Japan. Therefore, we encourage those interested to participate in the TC College."

Additionally, the Comprehensive Technical Division is engaged in fostering collaboration among technical staff across the university and utilizing various training programs for skill enhancement, all under the university's commitment as a designated regional core research university supported by initiatives like J-PEAKS. They strategically drive projects leveraging their strengths, assuring constant adaptation and challenge. The impact of the technical staff's contributions to the university's research, education, and clinical support is expected to be substantial in the future.

This information was released on August 27, 2026, by Okayama University.

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Related Information

You can explore additional events and educational opportunities linked to Okayama University’s commitment to technical staff competency and development through the provided links above.