Fluorescence Cytometry


The Fluorescence Cytometry unit is a core facility providing service in the fields of microscopy and flow cytometry for both Priority Research Areas of the center.
The Fluorescence Cytometry is a core facility providing up-to-date equipment in the field of microscopy and flow cytometry for both Priority Research Areas of the center. In addition to care and maintenance of the equipment, the practical and theoretical training of employees is a main focus. Other services include counseling and assistance in experimental design and analysis. For complex methodical approaches cooperations with the respective research groups are carried out.
For microscopical studies there is currently a confocal laser scanning microscope Leica TCS SP5 with five lasers available. The device permits free selection of wavelength ranges for detection and is equipped with three photomultipliers and two very sensitive hybrid detectors. In addition, for live cell analysis, an Olympus IX-81 system can be used.
Chipcytometry enables the iterative analysis of biomarkers on single-tissue or cell suspension samples. Additionally, samples can be preserved and stored/shipped for controlled centralized analysis without significant biomarker degradation.
Flow cytometric analysis can be carried out on instruments with 12-21 fluorescence parameters including a FACSymphony A1, which is specially equipped with a small particle detector (SPD), allowing the detection of small particles down to at least 60nm.
In addition, a cell sorting service is offered employing a BD FACSAriaIIIu. This cell sorter provides four excitation lasers and 13 fluorescence channels (by the use of a bioBUBBLE, biosafety level 2 sorts are possible).
In autumn 2023, the facility is able to provide the users with the FACSDiscover S8 with cell view image technology; 6-way sortings are possible, using 78 spectral parameters in addition with image detectors (including three fluorescence channels).
Scientists at the Research Center Borstel have also access to flow cytometric equipment within the biosafety level 3 laboratory. Analyzes can be carried out on a MACSQuant10 (3 lasers, 8 fluorescence channels). Within the BSL3 also a BioRad S3 cell sorter is available, which is equipped with two lasers and four fluorescence channels.
The Fluorescence Cytometry unit is jointly managed by Dr. Jochen Behrends and Dr. Thomas Scholzen.



(Canopy Biosciences)

(Miltenyi Biotech; 3 laser, 8 colors)

(Miltenyi Biotech; 3 laser, 14 colors)

(BD Biosciences; 3 laser, 12 colors)

(Bio-Rad; 2 laser, 4 colors)

(BD Biosciences; 4 laser, 16 colors; small particle detector)

(BD Biosciences; 4 laser, 21 colors)

(BD Biosciences, 4 laser, 13 colors)

(BD Biosciences; 5 laser, 78 spectral detectors; 3-color fluorescence imaging; 6-way sorting)
2025
Bornet, E, Prezza, G, Cecchino, L, Jenniches, L, Behrends, J, Tawk, C, Huang, KC, Strowig, T, Vogel, J, Barquist, L, Saliba, A-E & Westermann, AJ 2025, 'Low-input RNA-seq suggests metabolic specialization underlying morphological heterogeneity in a gut commensal bacterium', Cell reports, Jg. 44, Nr. 6, S. 115844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115844
Harikumar Parvathy, G*, Hertz, D*, Bhandiwad, D, Eggers, L, von Borstel, L, Behrends, J, Hein, M, Dreyer, V, Marschner, J, Orinska, Z, Niemann, S, Kaufmann, SHE, Goldmann, T, Lotter, H, Flores-Valdez, MA & Schneider, BE 2025, 'Sex Differences in Vaccine-Induced Immunity and Protection Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis', THE JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES, S. jiaf277. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf277 *authors contributed equally
Hertz, D, Marwitz, S, Eggers, L, von Borstel, L, Harikumar Parvathy, G, Behrends, J, Jonigk, DD, Manz, RA, Goldmann, T and Schneider, BE 2025, 'Sex-specific impact of B cell-derived IL-10 on tuberculosis resistance', FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY. Jg. 16, S. 1524500. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1524500
Nitschkowski, D, Vierbuchen, T, Heine, H, Behrends, J, Reiling, N, Reck, M, Rabe, KF, Kugler, C, Ammerpohl, O, Drömann, D, Muley, T, Kriegsmann, M, Stathopoulos, GT, Arendt, KAM, Goldmann, T & Marwitz, S 2025, 'SMAD2 linker phosphorylation impacts overall survival, proliferation, TGFβ1-dependent gene expression and pluripotency-related proteins in NSCLC', BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER . https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-025-02970-1
Yu, X, Yue, X, Tchudjin Magatsin, JD, Marwitz, S, Behrends, J, Goldmann, T, Opferman, JT, Kasper, B & Petersen, F 2025, 'Neutrophils negatively control IL-17A-producing γδ T cell frequencies in a contact-dependent manner under physiological conditions', FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY, Jg. 16, S. 1542191. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1542191
2024
Hertz, D, Marwitz, S, Eggers, L, von Borstel, L, Parvathy, GH, Behrends, J, Jonigk, DD, Manz, RA, Goldmann, T & Schneider, BE 2024, 'Ablation of B cell-derived IL-10 increases tuberculosis resistance', Biorxiv, S. 2024.07.17.603865. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.07.17.603865
Parvathy, GH, Bhandiwad, D, Eggers, L, Borstel, LV, Behrends, J, Hein, M, Hertz, D, Marschner, J, Orinska, Z & Kaufmann, SHE et al. 2024, 'Sex differences in vaccine induced immunity and protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis', Biorxiv, S. 2024.04.20.590403. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.20.590403
2023
Albert, EM, Walsemann, T, Behrends, J & Jappe, U 2023, 'Lipid transfer protein syndome in a Northern European patient: An unusual case report', Frontiers in Medicine, Jg. 10, 1049477, S. 1049477. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1049477
Chen, J, Wang, X, Schmalen, A, Haines, S, Wolff, M, Ma, H, Zhang, H, Stoleriu, MG, Nowak, J, Nakayama, M, Bueno, M, Brands, J, Mora, AL, Lee, JS, Krauss-Etschmann, S, Dmitrieva, A, Frankenberger, M, Hofer, TP, Noessner, E, Moosmann, A, Behr, J, Milger, K, Deeg, CA, Staab-Weijnitz, CA, Hauck, SM, Adler, H, Goldmann, T, Gaede, KI, Behrends, J, Kammerl, IE & Meiners, S 2023, 'Antiviral CD8+ T cell immune responses are impaired by cigarette smoke and in COPD', The European respiratory journal, Jg. 62, Nr. 2, 2201374. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01374-2022
Dühring, L, Petry, J, Lilienthal, G-M, Bartsch, YC, Kubiak, M, Pfeufer, C, Lehrian, S, Buhre, JS, Lunding, HB, Kern, C, Behrends, J, Walsemann, T, Gädert, L, Sommer, C, Krüger, L, Blanchard, V, Dehmel, S, Jappe, U, Rahmöller, J & Ehlers, M 2023, 'Sialylation of IgE reduces FcεRIα interaction and mast cell and basophil activation in vitro and increases IgE half-life in vivo', ALLERGY, Jg. 78, Nr. 8, S. 2301-2305. https://doi.org/10.1111/all.15665
Mamat, U, Hein, M, Grella, D, Taylor, CS, Scholzen, T, Alio, I, Streit, WR, Huedo, P, Coves, X, Conchillo-Solé, O, Gómez, A-C, Gibert, I, Yero, D & Schaible, UE 2023, 'Improved mini-Tn7 Delivery Plasmids for Fluorescent Labeling of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia', APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY , Jg. 89, Nr. 6, S. e0031723. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.00317-23
2022
Offermann, A, Joerg, V, Becker, F, Roesch, MC, Kang, D, Lemster, A-L, Behrends, J, Merseburger, AS, Culig, Z, Sailer, V, Brägelmann, J, Kirfel, J & Perner, S 2022, 'Inhibition of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 8/Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 19 Suppresses Its Pro-Oncogenic Effects in Prostate Cancer', American journal of pathology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpath.2022.01.010
Ritter K, Behrends J, Rückerl D, Hölscher A, Volz J, Prinz I, Hölscher C. High-Dose Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37rv Infection in IL-17A- and IL-17A/F-Deficient Mice. Cells. 2022 Sep 14;11(18):2875. doi: 10.3390/cells11182875. PMID: 36139450; PMCID: PMC9496946. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36139450/
2021
Behrends, J, Schwager, C, Hein, M, Scholzen, T, Kull, S & Jappe, U 2021, 'Innovative robust basophil activation test using a novel gating strategy reliably diagnosing allergy with full automation', ALLERGY, Jg. 76, Nr. 12, S. 3776-3788. https://doi.org/10.1111/all.14900
Brandenburg, J, Marwitz, S, Tazoll, SC, Waldow, F, Kalsdorf, B, Vierbuchen, T, Scholzen, T, Gross, A, Goldenbaum, S, Hölscher, A, Hein, M, Linnemann, L, Reimann, M, Kispert, A, Leitges, M, Rupp, J, Lange, C, Niemann, S, Behrends, J, Goldmann, T, Heine, H, Schaible, UE, Hölscher, C, Schwudke, D & Reiling, N 2021, 'WNT6/ACC2-induced storage of triacylglycerols in macrophages is exploited by Mycobacterium tuberculosis', Journal of Clinical Investigation, Jg. 131, Nr. 16, e141833. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI141833
Jacobsen, H, Walendy-Gnirß, K, Tekin-Bubenheim, N, Kouassi, NM, Ben-Batalla, I, Berenbrok, N, Wolff, M, Dos Reis, VP, Zickler, M, Scholl, L, Gries, A, Jania, H, Kloetgen, A, Düsedau, A, Pilnitz-Stolze, G, Jeridi, A, Yildirim, AÖ, Fuchs, H, Gailus-Durner, V, Stoeger, C, de Angelis, MH, Manuylova, T, Klingel, K, Culley, FJ, Behrends, J, Loges, S, Schneider, B, Krauss-Etschmann, S, Openshaw, P & Gabriel, G 2021, 'Offspring born to influenza A virus infected pregnant mice have increased susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections in early life', Nature communications, Jg. 12, Nr. 1, S. 4957. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-25220-3
Ritter, K, Behrends, J, Erdmann, H, Rousseau, J, Hölscher, A, Volz, J, Prinz, I, Lindenstrøm, T & Hölscher, C 2021, 'Interleukin-23 instructs protective multifunctional CD4 T cell responses after immunization with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis subunit vaccine H1 DDA/TDB independently of interleukin-17A', JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE-JMM , Jg. 99, Nr. 11, S. 1585-1602. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-021-02100-3
Ritter, K, Behrends, J, Erdmann, H, Rousseau, J, Hölscher, A, Volz, J, Prinz, I, Lindenstrøm, T & Hölscher, C 2021, 'Correction to Interleukin‑23 instructs protective multifunctional CD4 T cell responses after immunization with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis subunit vaccine H1 DDA/TDB independently of interleukin‑17A', JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE-JMM , Jg. 99, Nr. 11, S. 1603. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-021-02142-7
Schneider, E, Winzer, R, Rissiek, A, Ricklefs, I, Meyer-Schwesinger, C, Ricklefs, FL, Bauche, A, Behrends, J, Reimer, R, Brenna, S, Wasielewski, H, Lauten, M, Rissiek, B, Puig, B, Cortesi, F, Magnus, T, Fliegert, R, Müller, CE, Gagliani, N & Tolosa, E 2021, 'CD73-mediated adenosine production by CD8 T cell-derived extracellular vesicles constitutes an intrinsic mechanism of immune suppression', Nature communications, Jg. 12, Nr. 1, S. 5911. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-26134-w
Tizzano, B, Dallenga, T, Utpatel, C, Behrends, J, Homolka, S, Kohl, T & Niemann, S 2021, 'Survival of hypoxia-induced dormancy is not a common feature of all strains of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex', Scientific Reports, Jg. 11, Nr. 1, S. 2628. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81223-6
2020
Bahmer, T, Krauss-Etschmann, S, Buschmann, D, Behrends, J, Watz, H, Kirsten, A-M, Pedersen, F, Waschki, B, Fuchs, O, Pfaffl, MW, von Mutius, E, Rabe, KF, Hansen, G, Kopp, MV, König, IR & Bartel, S 2021, 'RNA-seq based profiling of extracellular vesicles in plasma reveals a potential role of miR-122-5p in asthma', ALLERGY, Jg. 76, Nr. 1, S. 366-371. https://doi.org/10.1111/all.14486
Brandenburg, J, Marwitz, S, Tazoll, SC, Waldow, F, Kalsdorf, B, Vierbuchen, T, Scholzen, T, Gross, A, Goldenbaum, S, Hölscher, A, Hein, M, Linnemann, L, Reimann, M, Kispert, A, Leitges, M, Rupp, J, Lange, C, Niemann, S, Behrends, J, Goldmann, T, Heine, H, Schaible, UE, Hölscher, C, Schwudke, D & Reiling, N, WNT6-ACC2-induced accumulation of triacylglycerol rich lipid droplets is exploited by M. tuberculosis, 2020, Veröffentlichungen auf Preprint Servern. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.06.26.174110
Ritter, K, Sodenkamp, JC, Hoelscher, A, Behrends, J & Hölscher, C 2020, 'IL-6 is not Absolutely Essential for the Development of a TH17 Immune Response after an Aerosol Infection with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis H37rv', Cells, Jg. 10, Nr. 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10010009
Schocker, F, Kull, S, Schwager, C, Behrends, J & Jappe, U 2020, 'Individual Sensitization Pattern Recognition to Cow’s Milk and Human Milk Differs for Various Clinical Manifestations of Milk Allergy', Nutrients, Jg. 11, Nr. 6, S. 95-105. https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-03928-029-2
Witschkowski, J, Behrends, J, Frank, R, Eggers, L, von Borstel, L, Hertz, D, Mueller, A-K & Schneider, B 2020, 'BCG Provides Short-Term Protection from Experimental Cerebral Malaria in Mice', Vaccines, Jg. 8, Nr. 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines8040745
2019
Bartel, S, La Grutta, S, Cilluffo, G, Perconti, G, Bongiovanni, A, Giallongo, A, Behrends, J, Kruppa, J, Hermann, S, Chiang, D, Pfaffl, MW & Krauss-Etschmann, S 2020, 'Human airway epithelial extracellular vesicle miRNA signature is altered upon asthma development', ALLERGY, Jg. 75, Nr. 2, S. 346-356. https://doi.org/10.1111/all.14008
Correa, W, Brandenburg, J, Behrends, J, Heinbockel, L, Reiling, N, Paulowski, L, Schwudke, D, Stephan, K, Martinez-de-Tejada, G, Brandenburg, K & Gutsmann, T 2019, 'Inactivation of Bacteria by γ-Irradiation to Investigate the Interaction with Antimicrobial Peptides', Biophysical journal, Jg. 117, Nr. 10, S. 1805-1819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2019.10.012
Correa, W, Heinbockel, L, Behrends, J, Kaconis, Y, Barcena-Varela, S, Gutsmann, T, Mauss, K, Schürholz, T, Schromm, AB, Martinez de Tejada, G & Brandenburg, K 2019, 'Antibacterial action of synthetic antilipopolysaccharide peptides (SALP) involves neutralization of both membrane-bound and free toxins', The FEBS journal, Jg. 286, Nr. 8, S. 1576-1593. https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.14805
Ring, S, Eggers, L, Behrends, J, Wutkowski, A, Schwudke, D, Kröger, A, Hierweger, AM, Hölscher, C, Gabriel, G & Schneider, B 2019, 'Blocking IL-10 receptor signaling ameliorates Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection during influenza-induced exacerbation', JCI Insight, Jg. 5. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.126533
Head


Technical Staff

