Stanford Diabetes Immune Monitoring Core

Overview

The Diabetes Immune Monitoring Core, DIMC, is a specialized subcore of the Human Immune Monitoring Center (HIMC) at Stanford. DIMC provides standardized, state-of-the-art immune monitoring assays at the RNA, protein, and cellular level, as well as archiving, reporting, and data mining support for clinical and translational studies related to Diabetes. In partnership with the research community, we also work to test and develop new technologies for immune monitoring.

Services

DIMC provides standardized, state-of-the-art immune monitoring assays at the RNA, protein, and cellular level, as well as archiving, reporting, and data mining support for clinical and translational studies. In partnership with the research community, we also work to test and develop new technologies for immune monitoring.

Immunoassays

We have standardized immunoassays for human and mouse cytokines, which can be used to assay serum, plasma, cell culture supernatants, tissue homogenates, or other fluids. We measure multiple cytokines simultaneously using either Luminex (up to 63 analytes) or MesoScale Discovery (MSD, up to 10 analytes) systems. We also provide assays for other soluble proteins on the MSD platform (see their website at https://www.mesoscale.com for available kits).

Mass Cytometry

Mass cytometry, or CyTOF (DVS Sciences), is a variation of flow cytometry in which antibodies are labeled with heavy metal ion tags rather than fluorochromes. Readout is by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. This allows for the combination of many more antibody specificities in a single samples, without significant spillover between channels. We have standardized an immunophenotyping CyTOF panel with 23 antibodies, with other panels to come shortly. Experienced CyTOF users can also schedule time on the instrument to run independent experiments.

Genomics

The HIMC offers RNA and DNA extraction, Bioanalyzer services, gene expression and miRNA microarrays, and microfluidic qPCR arrays for human and mouse.

Flow Cytometry

Flow cytometry is used to assess immune cell phenotypes and functions. We offer standardized immunophenotyping, phosphoepitope, and intracellular cytokine assays for human blood cells. Our assays have all been optimized for use with cryopreserved PBMC; use with fresh samples must be coordinated in advance.

Nanoimmunoassays

The NanoPro nanoimmunoassay platform from Protein Simple is an automated microcapillary isoelectric focusing system. Once focused, proteins are crosslinked to the capillary wall, and subject to antibody probes, much like a Western blot. This platform, formerly in HIMC, is now offered through the Translational Applications Service Center (TASC). Contact Joanna Lilliental for more information.