Becton Dickinson establishes flow cytometry facility in Life Sciences Addition

This fall Becton Dickinson installed a FACSCaliber flow cytometry system in laboratory space in the Life Sciences Addition adjoining Briggs Hall. The newly equipped laboratory is now named the Becton Dickinson Flow Cytometry Laboratory and Training Facility. In addition, Becton Dickinson in June awarded the Division of Biological Sciences a $150,000 gift to establish an endowment fund to support the operation of the facility.

Research biochemist and lecturer Donna Lagarias, who has extensive experience in flow cytometry, has been appointed director of the facility. She will provide flow cytometry training for undergraduates, graduate students, faculty members, and staff researchers from throughout the campus, and will feature information about the technology in her lectures.

Flow cytometry was initially used for research on cancer, AIDS, and other conditions, but the technology has rapidly become indispensable in a broad range of studies in animal, plant, and microbial systems. "A significant number of UC Davis faculty members in diverse disciplines are in need of flow cytometry to address important research questions," says Mark McNamee, the division's dean. "These scientists and their students will benefit enormously from Becton Dickinson's gift."