The Human Immune Monitoring Center (HIMC)

NEWS: The Immune Monitoring Virtual Course happened on September 16th 2020.

 

HIMC 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.

Immune monitoring services

Immunoassays

We have standardized immunoassays for detection of human, mouse, rat and NHP cytokines, which can be used to analyze serum, plasma, cell culture supernatants, tissue homogenates, urine, CSF, lavages or other fluids. We measure multiple cytokines simultaneously using Luminex bead arrays with up to 80 biomarkers or Olink PEA technology with up to 92 biomarkers per panel.  Custom Luminex panels can be tailored or selected from multiple vendors (Thermo Fisher, EMD Millipore, R&D systems/Biotechne, Bio-Rad).

Mass Cytometry

Mass cytometry, or CyTOF (Fluidigm), 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 panels for  immunophenotyping, phenotyping+intracellular cytokine staining (ICS), and phenotyping+phospho-CyTOF, each with 30 to 38 antibodies.  

Genomics

For immunology-related projects, the HIMC offers full-service RNA and DNA extraction, Bioanalyzer and qubit analysis, BCR/TCR repertoire analysis, microfluidic qPCR arrays, RNAseq  library preparation, and BD Rhapsody single-cell Abseq and transcriptomics assays, 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.

 

New Statistical Consultation Service

The HIMC now offers statistical consultation, statistical methods development, and mathematical modeling for immunological assay and immunoassay. This service 1) provides investigators with guidance on how to analyze their data themselves, including instruction on applicable R and/or SAS script and 2) develops new statistical methods or other mathematical models where existing methods will not permit adequate analysis.

HIMC Career posts

HIMC Immunoassay/Genomics Specialist (LSRP2)

https://careersearch.stanford.edu/jobs/immunoassay-genomics-specialist-18709

The Human Immune Monitoring Center (HIMC) is seeking a highly motivated Immunoassay/genomics specialist (Life Science Research Professional 2) to join our Immunoassay/Genomics group to perform multidisciplinary projects in human disease.

We are seeking a creative, motivated, organized individual to apply and optimize protein biomarker assays such as Luminex arrays (standard and custom panels) and Olink technology for the HIMC. She/he will also assist with genomics/transcriptomics assays. The LSRP2 will collaborate with other team members and client investigators to develop protocols, perform experiments, and evaluate and interpret results.

HIMC Mass Cytometry/CyTOF Specialist (LSRP2)

https://careersearch.stanford.edu/jobs/mass-cytometry-cytof-specialist-18711

The Human Immune Monitoring Center (HIMC) and Gates Center for Human Systems Immunology are seeking a highly motivated Life Science Research Professional 2 to join our Cell Analysis group to perform multidisciplinary projects related to CyTOF mass cytometry in human disease.

The Gates Center for Human Systems Immunology uses the infrastructure of the HIMC to carry out mechanistic and correlative science projects for clinical studies funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  These studies can include CyTOF assays, often with significant study-specific customizations.

We are seeking a creative, motivated, organized individual to apply and optimize CyTOF panels for the Gates Center and HIMC. The LSRP2 will collaborate with other team members and client investigators to develop protocols, perform experiments, and evaluate and interpret results.

Services

Immunoassays

Note to users:  For a list of publications that used the HIMC, see here. If work done with the HIMC produces data in a publication, you must acknowledge us (Stanford Human Immune Monitoring Center) in the publication. Further, if HIMC staff provide significant experimental design, data interpretation, or other intellectual contribution (as evaluated by the PI), then it is expected that these individuals will be coauthors on the publication.