Alejandro Failde, staff member of CiMUS (Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases), was granted an RItrainPlus bursary to carry out a staff visit at the CNIO’s Flow Cytometry Core Unit, part of CTLS (Core Technologies for Life Sciences). The visit took place during five days in February 2025. Below he shares his experience.
The visit had a profound impact on both my professional development and the collaboration between my institution and the CNIO-CTLS. This experience has significantly enhanced my expertise in flow cytometry, a crucial technology in my research and widely used in my institution.
A key highlight was the introductory course in flow cytometry led by Lola Martinez and her team. It was exceptionally well structured and covered critical aspects such as hardware operation, experimental design, data analysis, quality control and cytometer maintenance. The training not only reinforced my theoretical understanding, but also provided practical knowledge on how to optimize protocols and troubleshoot technical issues. These skills will help me to overcome existing limitations at my institution and ensure more robust, reproducible experimental results. I highly recommend this course to researchers at any level who wish to strengthen their expertise in flow cytometry.
Beyond the technical training, this visit fostered collaboration between my institution and the CNIO. It facilitated direct communication with the staff of the Flow Cytometry Core Unit, enabling knowledge exchange and future projects. Personally, I initiated my own collaborations with the CNIO team, performing experiments relevant to my research while accessing their advanced equipment and expertise. These interactions enriched my scientific perspective and laid the foundation for long-term partnerships.
In conclusion, my visit to CNIO was a transformative experience that exceeded my expectations. It expanded my technical skills, strengthened institutional collaborations, and enhanced CNIO’s reputation as a leading centre for flow cytometry training and research.