Flow Cytometry Section

    Overview

    Staff Scientist

    Portrait of Sabrina Helmhold-Hait.

    Sabrina Helmold Hait Ph.D.

    [email protected]

    Senior Research Assistant

    Portrait of James Simone.

    James Simone

    [email protected]

    The Flow Cytometry Section (FCS) provide comprehensive immunology and cytometry support for NIAMS intramural research. Our mission is to deliver standardized, high quality immunophenotyping, advanced cell sorting capabilities, and scientific and technical expertise that strengthen both basic and clinical research programs.

    The FCS strives to advance translational immunology by offering:

    • Integrated scientific and instrumentation expertise
    • State‑of‑the‑art flow‑cytometry technologies
    • Standardized assays that enhance rigor and reproducibility
    • High‑parameter, clinically relevant immunophenotyping
    • Training programs that foster scientific proficiency

    FCS promotes a research environment driven by precision, innovation, and collaborative excellence.

    Summary

    We offer a broad portfolio of customized immunology and cytometry services.

    Core Capabilities

    • Conventional and full‑spectrum flow cytometry
    • Single‑cell sorting and population purification
    • Panel design for basic, translational, and clinical protocols
    • Multiplex cytokine quantification (Luminex)
    • Phospho‑flow cytometry (STAT activation, JAK–STAT signaling)
    • Intracellular cytokine detection
    • Inflammatory marker panels
    • Expert data analysis and publication‑quality graphical output

    Consultative Support

    • Assay design and optimization
    • Reagent selection and instrument‑compatible panel planning
    • Workflow and experimental strategy development
    • Technical troubleshooting

    Hands‑On Research Services

    • On‑demand cell sorting
    • Assisted experimental setup and wet‑lab procedures
    • Cytokine quantification services
    • Finalized data visualization for presentations and manuscripts

    Services

    Translational Immunology

    Scientific leadership, assay standardization, and data‑driven experimental design.

    Key Functions

    • Immunophenotyping panel development
    • Standardization of assays across NIAMS programs
    • Sample‑processing workflows and staining pipelines
    • Complex data analysis (FlowJo, OMIQ, Diva, SpectroFlo, statistics)
    • Training in wet‑lab procedures and cytometry‑based experimental design

    Standardized Panels

    • Whole‑blood immunophenotyping (lymphoid and myeloid)
    • pSTAT detection in PBMCs and myeloid cells
    • Whole‑blood inflammatory cytokine quantification
    • NK‑cell and T‑cell activation profiling (PBMC‑based)

    Multiplex Cytokine Services

    • Luminex‑based bead‑based cytokine detection
    • Cytokine quantification in plasma, serum, and culture supernatants

    Flow Cytometry

    Instrumentation expertise, robust cytometry operations, and high‑quality sorting services.

    Key Functions

    • Cytometer optimization and acquisition support
    • Instrument operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and performance monitoring
    • Staff‑operated cell sorting (conventional & spectral platforms)
    • Analyzer support and hands‑on instruction
    • Reservation and workflow management

    Core Research Facilities

    Labs at the NIAMS are supported by the following state-of-the-art facilities and services:

    Staff

    Sabrina Helmold Hait, Ph.D.
    Staff Scientist
    James Simone
    Senior Research Assistant
    Jeffrey T. Lay
    Biologist
    Mary Maclean, Ph.D.
    Postdoctoral Fellow
    Kevin Tinsley, Ph.D.
    Staff Scientist

    Image & Media Gallery

    MoFlow Legacy
    MoFlo Legacy

    Scientific Publications

    Selected Recent Publications

    Trispecific antibody targeting HIV-1 and T cells activates and eliminates latently-infected cells in HIV/SHIV infections.

    Promsote W, Xu L, Hataye J, Fabozzi G, March K, Almasri CG, DeMouth ME, Lovelace SE, Talana CA, Doria-Rose NA, McKee K, Hait SH, Casazza JP, Ambrozak D, Beninga J, Rao E, Furtmann N, Birkenfeld J, McCarthy E, Todd JP, Petrovas C, Connors M, Hebert AT, Beck J, Shen J, Zhang B, Levit M, Wei RR, Yang ZY, Pegu A, Mascola JR, Nabel GJ, Koup RA
    Nat Commun.
    2023 Jun 22;
    14(1).
    doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-39265-z
    PMID: 37349337

    Anti-viral efficacy of a next-generation CD4-binding site bNAb in SHIV-infected animals in the absence of anti-drug antibody responses.

    Lovelace SE, Helmold Hait S, Yang ES, Fox ML, Liu C, Choe M, Chen X, McCarthy E, Todd JP, Woodward RA, Koup RA, Mascola JR, Pegu A
    iScience.
    2022 Oct 21;
    25(10).
    doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105067
    PMID: 36157588

    FACS-isolation and Culture of Fibro-Adipogenic Progenitors and Muscle Stem Cells from Unperturbed and Injured Mouse Skeletal Muscle.

    Riparini G, Simone JM, Sartorelli V
    J Vis Exp.
    2022 Jun 8;
    (184).
    doi: 10.3791/63983
    PMID: 35758697

    Evaluation of the in vitro susceptibility of various filarial nematodes to emodepside.

    Hübner MP, Townson S, Gokool S, Tagboto S, Maclean MJ, Verocai GG, Wolstenholme AJ, Frohberger SJ, Hoerauf A, Specht S, Scandale I, Harder A, Glenschek-Sieberth M, Hahnel SR, Kulke D
    Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist.
    2021 Dec;
    17().
    doi: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.07.005
    PMID: 34339934

    Ultrapotent antibodies against diverse and highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants.

    Wang L, Zhou T, Zhang Y, Yang ES, Schramm CA, Shi W, Pegu A, Oloniniyi OK, Henry AR, Darko S, Narpala SR, Hatcher C, Martinez DR, Tsybovsky Y, Phung E, Abiona OM, Antia A, Cale EM, Chang LA, Choe M, Corbett KS, Davis RL, DiPiazza AT, Gordon IJ, Hait SH, Hermanus T, Kgagudi P, Laboune F, Leung K, Liu T, Mason RD, Nazzari AF, Novik L, O'Connell S, O'Dell S, Olia AS, Schmidt SD, Stephens T, Stringham CD, Talana CA, Teng IT, Wagner DA, Widge AT, Zhang B, Roederer M, Ledgerwood JE, Ruckwardt TJ, Gaudinski MR, Moore PL, Doria-Rose NA, Baric RS, Graham BS, McDermott AB, Douek DC, Kwong PD, Mascola JR, Sullivan NJ, Misasi J
    Science.
    2021 Aug 13;
    373(6556).
    doi: 10.1126/science.abh1766
    PMID: 34210892

    Polycomb EZH2 controls self-renewal and safeguards the transcriptional identity of skeletal muscle stem cells.

    Juan AH, Derfoul A, Feng X, Ryall JG, Dell'Orso S, Pasut A, Zare H, Simone JM, Rudnicki MA, Sartorelli V
    Genes Dev.
    2011 Apr 15;
    25(8).
    doi: 10.1101/gad.2027911
    PMID: 21498568

    The gene encoding the hematopoietic stem cell regulator CCN3/NOV is under direct cytokine control through the transcription factors STAT5A/B.

    Kimura 木村丹香子 A, Martin C, Robinson GW, Simone JM, Chen W, Wickre MC, O'Shea JJ, Hennighausen L
    J Biol Chem.
    2010 Oct 22;
    285(43).
    doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.141804
    PMID: 20720003

    The transcription factors STAT5A/B regulate GM-CSF-mediated granulopoiesis.

    Kimura A, Rieger MA, Simone JM, Chen W, Wickre MC, Zhu BM, Hoppe PS, O'Shea JJ, Schroeder T, Hennighausen L
    Blood.
    2009 Nov 19;
    114(21).
    doi: 10.1182/blood-2009-04-216390
    PMID: 19779039

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    Last Updated: June 2026
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