Orla Maguire

Biography:

My research interests include the use of the ImageStream imaging flow cytometer (Amnis, part of Cytek Biosciences) to provide researchers and clinicians with useful information in the functional activity of transcription factor pathways in immunophenotypically defined populations, allowing for complementary use of current flow cytometry coupled with imaging cytometry information. The results of this endeavor include original publications in Cytometry, Part A, as well as original publications in Journal of Immunological Methods (JIM), and Methods.
We have also developed a modified Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization technique in suspension (FISH-IS) for the ImageStream. This assay enables the automated analysis of several log-magnitude higher numbers of cells compared to the microscopy-based approaches providing the opportunity to detect aneuploidy in relatively rare cell populations. This is clinically relevant as it may be used to detect minimal residual disease and associated chromosomal defects. This assay was first published as an original manuscript in Cytometry, Part A, and the procedure has also been detailed in the book chapter In “Imaging Flow Cytometry: Methods in Molecular Biology” edited by Natasha Barteneva and Ivan Vorobjev. I was honored to receive the Alex Nakeff Young Investigator’s Award at GLIIFCA 2012 for this work. We continue to assist investigators all over the world who are utilizing this assay in their studies.
I have been invited to speak at several national and international conferences and have given tutorials in imaging flow cytometry for the International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry. My unique expertise in imaging flow cytometry has cemented my reputation as a leader in this field. In 2017 I was invited by Science/AAAS to deliver a webinar on monitoring immune function by imaging flow cytometry.
In the emerging field of microparticle analysis by flow and imaging flow cytometry, we are participating with several investigators in various research projects, one of which was chosen for an oral presentation at the 32nd annual CYTO congress in Boston, MA, 2017 (given by former MS student Philip Galbo). We have published the results of that research in Oncotarget. and have another publication with collaborators investigating exosomes by both flow and image cytometry. We have also established an exosome working group between RPCI and the University of Buffalo to facilitate discussion and standardization of methodology.
I am heavily involved in education here at Roswell Park. I am part of the team that has developed the graduate course RPG564, ‘Principles in Flow and Image Cytometry’, tailored to teaching students everything from the basic hardware components of a flow/imaging cytometer, to understanding experimental design, analysis principles, applications including study of cellular phenotype, cell proliferation, cell death, cellular signaling and functional assays. We teach students how to appropriately apply these theories and strategies in planning and critically evaluating flow and image cytometry studies. This course is open to all graduate students and due to its depth, the Tumor Immunology Ph.D. program has deemed it mandatory for their students. In addition to the graduate course, I am also part of the resource education team that maintains an active education program for all users of the facility and resource personnel. These classes cover every aspect of flow and image cytometry from experimental design to instrument use and analysis.