Introduction to Aquatic Flow Cytometry

The Center for Aquatic Cytometry will be offering an introductory course/ workshop on aquatic flow cytometry, May 4-8, 2026. The course will be held at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay, Maine, USA.

The course is designed for graduate students, faculty members, aquaculturists, and commercial entities interested in learning how to apply flow and imaging cytometry to aquatic applications.

The course will include both hands-on laboratory training and lectures by experienced flow cytometrists working within the aquatic science field.

Topics

• Basics of Flow Cytometry and Operation
• Aquatic Applications
• Data Analysis (using FlowJo and OMIQ)
• Phytoplankton (including biovolume/biomass determination)
• Heterotrophic Bacteria and Viral Particles
• Detecting Viral Particles
• Sorting for Biogeochemical analysis, isolation, and cultivation
• Spectral Cytometry
• Imaging Cytometry for Aquatic Application & Best Practices

Featured Instrumentation

Analyzers: Cytek Northern Lights Spectral Cytometer (3 lasers), Cytek Guava, and Cytek Muse, Thermofisher Attune Cytpix, and Agilent Novocyte Opteon

Cell Sorters: BD Influx Mariner (2 lasers) & BD Influx (5 lasers), BD FACS Discover S8 (5 lasers), and Cytek CS - Cell Sorter (Spectral - 5 lasers)

Imaging Cytometers: Yokogawa Fluid Imaging Technologies FlowCam 8400, and Thermofisher Attune Cytpix, and BD FACS Discover

Instructors

Nicole Poulton, Ph.D. – Director, Center for Aquatic Cytometry
Jason Graff, Ph.D. – Oregon State University
Laura Lubelczyk – Research Associate, Center for Aquatic Cytometry

Guest Lecturers and Instrument Operators

Marcos Oquendo – former Field Applications Specialist (FAS) for Cytopia, BD, & BioRad.

Register Now

Course Fee

The course fee is $3500, which includes:

• Course tuition
• Lodging in single rooms at our award-winning on-campus Residence Hall
• Materials and supplies
• Continental breakfast, coffee breaks, and lunch each day; the residence has a community kitchen for evening meals
• One group dinner
• Course certification

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Quick Look

• Max course size: 14 participants
  
• Logistics, lodging, and travel information

Questions?

Please contact Nicole Poulton, Center for Aquatic Cytometry npoulton@bigelow.org