A new cell analyser at IRB to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Leonardo Foundation
Institutional Communication Service
9 December 2021
As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, the Leonardo Foundation has decided to make a contribution to scientific research performed at the new biomedical research centre in Bellinzona with an important donation for the purchase of a new FACS Symphony S6 cell analyser, a fundamental device for research in the field of immunology and also for the study of tumours.
The donation was presented by the Leonardo Foundation, represented by its President Piero Martinoli, at a ceremony held on Thursday 9 December at the new headquarters of the biomedical research institutes in Via Chiesa 5, Bellinzona. The ceremony was attended by members of the Leonardo Foundation Board, the presidents of IRB and IOR Gabriele Gendotti and Franco Cavalli, and various researchers from IRB, IOR and EOC, as well as the mayor of Bellinzona Mario Branda and, representing USI, the Pro-Rector of Research Patrick Gagliardini.
The FACS cell analyser is essential for research in the field of immunology, and is increasingly becoming useful for studying tumours. The Symphony S6 uses a combination of lasers to analyse the properties of tens of thousands of cells per second. In addition, it is able to isolate subgroups of even very rare cells of particular interest from blood or other tissues, which can then be used for further experiments. The installation of the new Symphony S6, which will replace the current one dating from 2004, is scheduled for spring 2022.
With this donation, the Leonardo Foundation is celebrating its 25 years of existence and its work on behalf of university students and research in the Canton Ticino. At the same time, it is offering tangible support to Bios+, the recently founded association that brings together IRB and IOR, two institutes affiliated to Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), whose aim is to support the growth of a research centre of national and international significance for life sciences in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland.
