Biology

WKU Biology faculty member Dr. Simran Banga, with her colleagues Drs. Noah Ashley, Michael Smith and Joseph Marquardt received a National Science Foundation grant to fund the acquisition of a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) to be housed in the WKU Biotechnology Center. 

FACS is a state-of-the art cell analyzer for single cell analysis and facilitates simultaneous quantification and segregation of multiple cell types from a mixed cell population based on specific fluorescence tags using laser beam technology.  

FACS acquisition at WKU will enhance and expand ongoing research that will generate several learning and training opportunities for the student community. It will enable the undergraduate and graduate students working in the biology research laboratories to gain skills in producing high quality research data for publications and presentations at scientific conferences. Importantly, the FACS cell analyzer will also be used in immunology and cell biology laboratory courses to provide unique hands-on skills to STEM students.