We have experience in multicolour flow cytometry. Besides ELISPOT, tetramer based 8-colour flow cytometry has become our routine monitoring assay, allowing extended phenotypic and functional characterization of T cell subpopulations. Of special interest has become the identification of polyfunctional T cells (capable to simultaneously exert several functions, i.e. production of various cytokines and killing activity) since these have been shown to elicit more effective immune responses in HIV vaccination trials.

This flow cytometer was used eg., for an analysis of CD11c populations in the lung and spleen during acute aerosol MTb infection.

The flow cytometer at the disposal of the laboratory is used, for example, to assess Th subsets.