Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology Invests in Southeast Asia’s First BD FACSDiscover™ A8 System: Advancing Immunology and Precision Medicine Research

As biomedical research increasingly demands high-dimensional data, analytical precision, and the ability to resolve complex cellular populations, the Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology has officially invested in and deployed the BD FACSDiscover™ A8 system – the first platform in Southeast Asia to integrate full-spectrum spectral flow cytometry with real-time cellular imaging. This strategic investment underscores the Institute’s commitment to building cutting-edge research infrastructure, strengthening its core research programs, and expanding scientific collaboration.

A breakthrough “Two-in-One” technology platform

The BD FACSDiscover™ A8 is designed to deliver high-depth, high-confidence multiparametric data through the integration of two pioneering BD technologies within a single flow cytometry platform: BD SpectralFX™ Technology and BD CellView™ Image Technology.

BD SpectralFX™ Technology enables the acquisition and analysis of fluorescence signals across the full emission spectrum using intelligent full-spectrum unmixing algorithms. This allows for precise separation of fluorophores with highly overlapping spectra and supports the design of high-parameter panels while maintaining optimal sensitivity and resolution.

Complementing spectral analysis, BD CellView™ Image Technology captures real-time images of individual cells as they pass through the flow cell. The addition of imaging data substantially expands analytical capabilities beyond the limits of conventional flow cytometry.

The integration of optical and imaging data allows researchers not only to accurately quantify surface and intracellular markers, but also to observe intracellular spatial relationships, protein redistribution, cell–cell interactions, and morphological changes. This capability is particularly valuable for studies requiring high precision in both cellular phenotype and functional state.

Powerful technical specifications for advanced research

The BD FACSDiscover™ A8 supports a five-laser configuration (UV 355 nm, Violet 405 nm, Blue 488 nm, Yellow-Green 561 nm, and Red 637 nm), together with up to 78 fluorescence detectors and eight additional detectors for scatter and imaging. This configuration enables the design of highly complex marker panels and optimizes the detection and analysis of rare cell populations.

Software and Automation: From Data to Insight

The system is operated using BD FACS™ Chorus software, which provides an intuitive interface and standardized workflows covering experimental setup, quality control, and compliant data acquisition. This automation minimizes operator variability and enhances experimental reproducibility.

Acquired data can be further analyzed using FlowJo™, where fluorescence and cellular imaging data are directly integrated within a high-dimensional analytical space. Advanced spectral unmixing, dimensionality reduction, and image-informed gating tools enable robust visual validation and accurate classification of complex cell populations, while effectively eliminating artifacts such as doublets and cellular debris.

Applications across the Institute’s core research programs

The deployment of the BD FACSDiscover™ A8 unlocks broad and impactful applications across the Vinmec–VinUni Institute of Immunology’s key research directions:

• Allergy and Autoimmunity: Enables in-depth characterization of complex immune cell populations and tracking of immune marker localization and redistribution at the single-cell level, facilitating the identification of signaling pathways involved in immune activation, tolerance, and dysregulation in allergic and autoimmune diseases.

• Cancer Immunology and Precision Medicine: Supports comprehensive analysis of the tumor microenvironment, assessment of immune responses at the level of individual cell subsets, and identification of multidimensional biomarkers. This platform is essential for the development, evaluation, and personalization of therapeutic strategies, including cell-based therapies, monoclonal antibodies, and next-generation immunotherapies.

• Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) and Regenerative Medicine: Enables investigation of the relationship between source cell characteristics and the biological effects of secreted products, while supporting evaluation of homogeneity and stability of cell populations and cell-derived products used in regenerative medicine. These capabilities contribute to the development of standardized workflows and quality control frameworks for therapeutic products transitioning toward clinical application.

Expanding research collaboration

With a strategic investment and a clear roadmap to operational mastery of the BD FACSDiscover™ A8, the Institute not only strengthens its internal research capacity but also reinforces its role as a high-end technology hub open to the scientific community. The Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology actively seeks collaboration with universities, research institutes, and R&D organizations both nationally and internationally, spanning projects from basic research to translational and applied studies. Through these efforts, the Institute aims to advance research capacity in immunology, oncology, and regenerative medicine, while making meaningful contributions to the biomedical science and technology ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.