CyTOFTM: A very high-tech system now available to the regional, national and European scientific community Funded with a research grant of 2.3 M€, this unique system (the first of its kind in Europe) combines mass spectrometry with flow cytometry and can be used to study approximately 100 cellular parameters, as opposed to the 18 parameters currently accessible with the most advanced conventional flow cytometry techniques. This revolutionary new technology will allow researchers to characterize cellular samples with ultra-fine precision, including rare cell populations. Associated with the expertise of the development partners, this technology should enable the identification of new pathological biomarkers and treatments. As part of the FlowCyTech platform, it will be used to conduct innovative research on infectious diseases, vaccines and antiviral antibiotics.The FlowCyTech platform offers innovative collaborative research and expertise solutions for public, private, national and international organizations, including the coordination of excellence training programs for university students and the organization of annual international seminars. A successful public-private partnership project "Our project is a relevant and concrete response to the needs of the scientific community. The collaboration with Bertin Pharma and Université Paris-Sud adds expertise and quality to the project. This public-private partnership provides added research value and guarantees effective continuity between public research institutions and decision makers." (Roger Le Grand, Head of CEA/Université Paris-Sud 11 Immunovirology Department and Project Coordinator)"For Bertin Pharma, the CEA's R&D expertise will allow us to provide our customers with a new level of excellence. The system that we are launching owes its effectiveness to the FlowCyTech platform, which is extremely innovative due to both its size and professionalism. We aim to achieve a turnover of 1.5 to 2 million euros." (Xavier Morge, CEO of Bertin Pharma)"For Université Paris-Sud, this partnership has not only provided us with new possibilities in terms of training and expertise, but it has also allowed us to extend our scope of services. The FlowCyTech platform works in close collaboration with our Immunomonitoring platform in Clamart. This geographic proximity facilitates effective material exchanges and high-quality analysis work. The new mass cytometer constitutes a decisive advantage for immunotherapy and vaccinology research activities at the Immunovirology Department (CEA/Université Paris-Sud) and Cytokine/Chemokine/Immunopathology Research Unit (UMR-S 996 INSERM/Université Paris-Sud)." (Françoise Bachelerie, Research Manager at INSERM, Assistant Manager of the Therapeutic Innovation Centre)About CEA:The French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas: low-carbon energy technologies, information and health technologies, large-scale research facilities, and global defence and security. CEA teams conduct cutting-edge fundamental research and provide support to the industry in each of these areas. The Immunovirology Department (SIV) is part of the CEA Life Sciences Division's Institute of Emerging Diseases and Innovative Therapies (IMETI). The Immunovirology Department's research programs focus on the study of virus-host interactions in an effort to develop new preventive strategies against human viral injections (HIV/AIDS, Chikungunya, flu, yellow fever, etc.). http://www.cea.frhttp://www-dsv.cea.fr/flowcytech-platform About Bertin Pharma:Bertin Pharma, a subsidiary of Bertin Technologies (CNIM Group), provides expertise covering all stages of the pharmaceutical development process (from initial discovery to development into a clinical product, including biological monitoring and clinical testing). In addition to its work on antiviral drugs and biosecurity, Bertin Pharma conducts preclinical and clinical studies for university research programs and develops biotechnologies to assess the effectiveness and safety of new immunological therapies such as adjuvants, vaccines, therapeutic proteins, etc. Bertin Pharma also provides expertise in biochemical characterization, formulation, immunogenicity, biodistribution, ADME and toxicology. www.bertinpharma.comBertin Pharma and the CEA's Immunovirology Department have collaborated on several of these activities for over 10 years now at the Saclay and Fontenay-aux-Roses sites. This collaboration aims to promote joint research projects and to support Bertin Pharma studies on new therapeutic and vaccine treatments. Bertin Pharma contributes to the implementation of good laboratory practices at the Immunovirology Department and in technological platforms.About Université Paris-Sud:Université Paris-Sud is one of the most prestigious universities in Europe. It is ranked 1st in France, 7th in Europe and 40th in the world (2011 Shanghai ranking). A multidisciplinary university with a strong orientation toward scientific and health careers, it has received a large number of awards for its research activities.Université Paris-Sud comprises 5 training and research units (UFR), 3 technological institutes (IUT), a school of engineering and 109 internationally acknowledged laboratories. It hosts 27 300 students (including 2 600 doctorate students), 2 400 professors and researchers, and 2 700 engineers, technicians and administrative staff members. Its campus is the largest in France, surrounded by a beautiful natural setting.www.u-psud.frThe Cytokine/Chemokine/Immunopathology Research Unit (UMR-S 996 INSERM/Université Paris-Sud) is part of the Innovative Medicine and Therapeutics Research Laboratory (LERMIT) and the Paris-Sud Institute of Therapeutic Innovation (IPSIT). The four teams making up the unit conduct research on cancer physiopathology and immunological and inflammatory disorders, combining ex vivo studies on human and animal cells, in vivo studies on murine models of human pathologies, and studies on human samples.