Swiss Flow
Cytometry School

Course : INTRO-01
Duration : 33 hours in 5 days (18h lectures, 15h practicals). 9am-5pm, except the last day 8am-4pm
Language : English
Target Audience : Anyone working in the biology field (either clinical or research). No requirement for prior knowledge of flow cytometry is necessary.
Prerequisites : Basic knowledge in biology and medicine
Courses objectives : The students will learn :
• the principles of FCM.
• how to perform multicolor staining experiments with adequate compensations.
• how to elaborate and apply various gating strategies for data analysis.
• the most common applications of flow cytometry in hematology and immunology.
Costs : Public Sector: 2000 CHF
Private companies: 2500 CHF
Developing Countries and students: 1200 CHF
Registration deadline: 2 weeks before the course or when the place limit is reached.

Course : ONL_INTRO-17
Duration : 6 sessions of 1.5 h over 2 weeks, 2-3.30PM CET (e.g 8-9:30am EST, 4-5:30pm GST)
Language : English
Target Audience : Anyone working in the biology field (either clinical or research) No requirement of prior knowledge of flow cytometry is necessary.
Prerequisites : Basic knowledge in cell biology or medicine.
Courses objectives : Sessions:
April 15, 2024: 1. Introduction to flow cytometry – what is behind the dot plot.
April 16, 2024: 2. Working principles of a flow cytometer: fluidics, optics, electronics.
April 18, 2024: 3. Fluorochromes – how to choose the best one for your application.
April 22, 2024: 4. Immunodetection – antibodies, staining, immunophenotyping.
April 23, 2024: 5. Instrument setup and compensation.
April 25, 2024: 6. Gating strategies – how to analyze flow cytometry data.

The students will learn:
• the basic principles of flow cytometry
• how to perform a simple multicolor staining experiments with adequate compensations.
• how to elaborate and apply various gating strategies for data analysis.
• the most common applications of flow cytometry in hematology and immunology.

Costs : Public Sector: 600 CHF
Industry, Pharma: 800 CHF
Developing Countries and students: 300 CHF

Course : ADVANCED-04
Duration : 18 hours over 3 days (9h lectures, 9h practicals).
Language : English
Target Audience : Hematologists, immunologists, laboratory heads, researchers, senior technicians, doctoral students and post-docs.
Prerequisites : Knowledge in biology, biotechnology, pharmacy, immunology, medicine or related disciplines. Previous experience in flow cytometry required
Courses objectives : The participants will learn :
• to design and perform multicolor staining experiments.
• to study cell apoptosis.
• how to avoid compensation and setting pitfalls.
• how to perform T cell activation assay.
Costs : Public Sector: 1200 CHF
Industry, Pharma: 1500 CHF
Developing Countries: 800 CHF

Course : ONL_ADVANCED-18
Duration : 6 sessions of 1.5 hours over 3 consecutive days, 9-10:30 & 11-12:30am CET
Language : English
Target Audience : Biologists, scientists, researchers, technicians
Prerequisites : Knowledge of basic principles of flow cytometry and practical experience, background in cell biology.
Courses objectives : Sessions:
1. Experimental and Panel Design
2. Instrument Settings & Compensations
3. Intra-cellular staining (e.g. cytokines, cell cycle, proliferation)
4. Apoptosis & Cell viability
5. Data analysis: supervised and unsupervised
6. Introduction to new tools & technologies, Q&A
Costs : Public/academic labs: 600 CHF
Private labs, Industry, Pharma: 800 CHF
Developing Countries and students: 300 CHF

Dates: September 30, October 1-2, 2024
Time: 9-10:30 & 11-12:30am CET / 11-12:30am & 1-2:30pm GST

Course : HEMATO_IMMUNO-19
Duration : 3 days in Geneva (Switzerland)
Language : English
Target Audience : Hematologists, biologists, laboratory technicians and students with an interest in hematology.
Prerequisites : Knowledge of the basic principles of flow cytometry and hematology.
Courses objectives : The participants will learn :
• how to use flow cytometry for the detailed analysis of normal hematopoiesis in peripheral blood and bone marrow samples.
• the different strategies to characterize hematological malignancies by flow cytometry and detect MRD
• to design an optimal panel
• how spectral cytometry can be used for diagnostic purposes
• to use multidimensional analyses to understand complex cell phenotypes
Costs : Public Sector: 1200 CHF
Industry, Pharma: 1500 CHF
Developing Countries, Students: 800 CHF
Registration deadline: 1 month before the course or when the place limit is reached.

Course : LYMPHOMA_MRD-05
Duration : 22 hours over 3 1/2 days (10h lectures, 12h practical).
Language : English
Target Audience : Researchers with an interest in B and T cell lymphomas, hematologists, immunologists.
Prerequisites : Knowledge of basic principles of flow cytometry, background in hematology and/or cell biology.
Courses objectives : The students will learn :
• how to elaborate and apply gating strategies for lymphocyte analysis.
• how to use cytometry for the detection of normal B and T cells in lymphoid organs, peripheral blood and bone marrow.
• how to diagnose B and T cell lymphomas using cytometry.
• the pitfalls of lymphoma diagnosis and how to avoid them.
• how to perform MRD detection for lymphomas.
Costs : Public Sector: 1500 CHF
Industry, Pharma: 1800 CHF
Developing Countries: 1000 CHF

Course : ONL_LYMPHOMA-16
Duration : 6 sessions of 1.5 hours over 3 consecutive days, 9-10:30 & 10:45-12:15am CET
Language : English
Target Audience : Biologists, scientists, researchers, technicians with an interest in lymphomas and hematology.
Prerequisites : Knowledge of basic principles of flow cytometry, background in hematology and/or cell biology.
Courses objectives : Sessions – the application of the flow cytometry to study:
1. Normal B cell maturation and B cell populations.
2. B cell lymphomas.
3. Normal T cell maturation and T cell populations.
4. T and NK cell lymphomas.
5. Plasma cells – normal and malignant.
6. MRD detection in lymphomas.
Costs : Public Sector/academy: 600 CHF
Private labs, Industry, Pharma: 800 CHF
Developing Countries and students: 300 CHF

Registration and cancellation policies are available on our Information page.

Course : LEUKEMIA_MRD-06
Duration : 22 hours over 3 1/2 days (10h lectures, 12h practical).
Language : English
Target Audience : Researchers with an interest in acute leukemias, hematologists, immunologists.
Prerequisites : Knowledge of basic principles of flow cytometry, background in hematology and/or cell biology.
Courses objectives : The students will learn :
• how to use cytometry for the detailed analysis of normal hematopoiesis in peripheral blood and bone marrow samples.
• how to diagnose acute leukemias (AML and ALL) using cytometry.
• the pitfalls of leukemia diagnosis and how to avoid them.
• how to perform MRD detection in acute leukemias.
Costs : Public Sector: 1500 CHF
Industry, Pharma: 1800 CHF
Developing Countries: 1000 CHF

Course : ONL_LEUKEMIA-15
Duration : 6 sessions of 1.5 hours in 3 days, twice a day, 10am-11.30pm & 12.30pm-2pm(CET)
Language : English
Target Audience : Researchers with an interest in acute leukemias, hematologists, immunologists.
Prerequisites : Knowledge of basic principles of flow cytometry, background in hematology and/or cell biology.
Courses objectives : Sessions – the application of the flow cytometry to study:
1. Normal hematopoiesis : Monday 19th of February 2024, 10-11:30am CET
2. MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome) : Monday 19th of February 2024, 12:30-2pm CET
3. AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) : Tuesday 20th of February 2024, 10-11:30am CET
4. ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) : Tuesday 20th of February 2024, 12:30-2pm CET
5. MRD (Minimal Residual Disease) – theory: Wednesday 21st of February, 10-11:30am CET
6. MRD in ALL and AML: Wednesday 21st of February, 12:30-2pm CET

The participants will learn the basics of following topics:
• how to use cytometry for the detailed analysis of normal hematopoiesis in peripheral blood and bone marrow samples.
• how to diagnose acute leukemia (AML and ALL) as well as MDS using cytometry.
• how to perform MRD detection in acute leukemia.

Costs : Public Sector: 600 CHF
Industry, Pharma: 800 CHF
Developing Countries and students: 300 CHF

Registration and cancellation policies are available on our information page.

Programm Course : COMPUTING-11
Duration : 2 days
Language : English
Target Audience : Cytometrists with experience in multicolor flow cytometry data analysis
Prerequisites : Good working knowledge of data analysis with standard cytometry software (eg.: Kaluza, FlowJo, Infinicyt)
Courses objectives : Topics:
Foundations of multidimensional data analysis.
Clustering algorithms.
Practical training on datasets in R: from pre-processing to visualization.
Clean data, clean results. Discovering trajectories in your data.
Standardization and reproducibility: the keys to generate good data for unsupervised analysis.
Accelerating answers with the Cytobank platform and autogating.
Exploring high-dimensional data in FlowJo.
Dimensionality reduction and clustering: pitfalls and practicalities.
Costs : Public Sector: 800 CHF
Industry, Pharma: 1000 CHF
Developing Countries: 500 CHF
Registration deadline: 1month before the course or when the place limit is reached.

Course : PRIVATE_COURSE-21
Duration : Variable
Language : English or French
Target Audience : Industry, Pharma, Public laboratories
Prerequisites : None
Courses objectives : From basic rules of flow cytometry to advanced applications - we can prepare a tailored course for your team.
Costs : available upon request

Cours : CYTHEM-22
Durée : 22 heures (3 jours)
Langue : Français
Public cible : Hématologues et biologistes, ingénieurs, scientifiques, technicien(ne)s de laboratoire, étudiant(e)s avec un intérêt hématologie.
Prérequis : Connaissances des principes de base de la cytométrie en flux et en hématologie.
Objectifs : Programme:
• Hématopoïèse normale
• Syndromes lymphoprolifératifs B, T et NK
• Maladies plasmocytaires
• Leucémies aigües myéloïdes
• Leucémies aiguës lymphoblastiques B et T
• SMP, SMD et LMMC
• Analyses d’évènements rares: MRD et PNH
• Cytométrie spectrale
• Conception de panel optimisée
• Analyses multidimensionnelles (t-SNE, FlowSOM)
Coût : Étudiant(e)s en master ou en thèse (MD ou PhD), technicien(ne)s de laboratoire: 400 CHF
Biologistes, médecins, ingénieurs, scientifiques: 600 CHF
Maghreb: 350 CHF

Programm Course : WINTER_SCHOOL-14
Duration : 5 days, 40 hours of lectures and practicals
Language : English
Target Audience : Immunologists, Researchers, Clinical Biologists, PhD students, Lab assistants, R&D pharma
Prerequisites : Knowledge of the basic principles of flow cytometry, strong background in immunology and/or cell biology or: Introductory course of flow cytometry
Courses objectives : The students will learn:
• to design and perform multicolor staining experiments
• to analyse in depth specific cell populations of the innate and adaptive immune system
• to perform current functional cytometric tests in immunology

Costs : Public Sector: 2000 CHF
Students (MD, PhD): 1500 CHF
Industry, Pharma: 2500 CHF
Developing Countries: 1200 CHF
Registration deadline: February 22nd or when the place limit is reached.

Course : SPECTRAL-23
Duration : 2 days
Language : English
Target Audience : Scientists, Biologists and Technicians
Prerequisites : Previous experience in conventional flow cytometry required. No previous knowledge of spectral flow cytometry is necessary.
Courses objectives : Fundamentals of Spectral Flow Cytometry
From Panel design to Analysis
Autofluorescence management
Applications in Research and Clinic
Troubleshooting
Hands-on session on Cytek Flow Cytometer
Costs : Public Sector: 800 CHF
Private companies: 1000 CHF
Developing Countries and Students: 500 CHF

Cours : ONL_DIAG_HEMATO-24
Durée : En ligne, 6 sessions de 1.5 heures pendant 3 jours consécutifs, 12h30-16h CET (pause incluse), et une session Q&A 16h30-17h CET le dernier jour
Langue : Français
Public cible : Technicien.e.s, biologistes, chercheurs avec un intérêt pour les cancers hématologiques
Prérequis : Connaissances des principes de bases de la cytométrie en flux et en hématologie/biologie cellulaire
Objectifs : Sessions interactive and pratiques avec études de cas :
• Hématopoïèse normale
• Leucémie aigüe lymphoïde
• Leucémie aigüe myéloïde
• Pathologies lymphoïdes B et T
• Maladie résiduelle
• HPN
• Questions-Réponses
Coût : Laboratoires privés/entreprises pharmaceutiques: 1'000 CHF
Laboratoires publiques/académiques: 800 CHF
Etudiants et pays en voie de développement: 400 CHF.
Le paiement est à effectuer avant la formation.
Nos conditions d’annulation après inscription sont disponibles sur notre page « Information ».

Programm Course : CERTIFICATE-13
Duration : 1 year
Language : English
Target Audience : Physicians (hematologists, immunologists), biologists, biochemists, pharmacists, toxicologists, veterinarians, engineers in the medical sciences, laboratory technicians with a professional experience in flow cytometry.
Prerequisites : - a Master's or a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, or a degree deemed equivalent issued by a University, and recognized by the University of Geneva; - a Bachelor or a Master's degree from a University of Applied Sciences (HES). 2 years professional experience related to the Certificate program will be required. An interview can complete the admission procedure; - a higher education degree in Biomedical Analysis or equivalent training (ie.: laboratory technician). 2 years professional experience related to the Certificate program will be required. An interview can complete the admission procedure.
Courses objectives : - Give participants the theoretical and practical information needed to perform flow cytometric analyses independently
- Enable participants to develop experimental and diagnostic approaches, to develop data analysis strategies, and to use appropriate analytical softwares
- Illustrate to participants the most common applications of flow cytometry with a special focus on applications in hematology and immunology
- Inform participants of the latest developments in the field of flow cytometry, of the technical progress and of multi-dimensional data analysis
The course consists of 3 modules:
1. Introductory and refresher course in flow cytometry
2. Winter school of cell analysis in immunology
3. Flow cytometry for hematologists and immunologists
Costs : 6000.- CHF
REGISTRATION: https://www.unige.ch/formcont/cours/flow-cytometry

Course : LABMED-08
Duration : 24 hours over 3 days (14h lectures, 10h pratical).
Language : English
Target Audience : Biomedical analysts and technicians taking part in the swiss higher education program for ”Biomedical analytics”
Prerequisites : none
Courses objectives : introduction to flow cytometry
Costs : please contact directly Miss Wyna Giller (wyna.giller@labmed.ch) for costs and registration

Course : MRD-07
Duration : 12 hours over 2 days (6h lectures, 6h pratical).
Language : English
Target Audience : Researchers with an interest in MRD detection, hematologists, immunologists.
Prerequisites : Knowledge of basic principles of flow cytometry, background in hematology and/or cell biology.
Courses objectives : The students will learn:
• how to perform MRD in acute leukemias and lymphomas, based on detailed studies of AML, ALL, CLL and multiple myeloma cases
• how to set up and perform analysis of paucicellular samples (ie: LCR)
Costs : Public sector: 500 CHF (up to 2 weeks prior to course start; afterwards 600 CHF).
Private sector: the fee for applicants is available upon request.

Course : PNH_MDS-03
Duration : 18 hours over 3 days (6h lectures, 12h practical).
Language : English
Target Audience : Researchers with an interest in PNH, hematologists, immunologists.
Prerequisites : Knowledge of basic principles of flow cytometry; background in hematology and/or cell biology.
Courses objectives : The students will learn :
• the pathophysiology of PNH.
• how to use flow cytometry for the detection and quantification of PNH clones in white and red blood cells.
• how to perform high sensitivity analysis of very small PNH clones (<0.01%).
• the pitfalls of PNH diagnosis and how to avoid them.
Costs : Public sector: 800 CHF (up to 2 weeks prior to course start; afterwards 1000 CHF).
Private sector: the fee for applicants is available upon request.