New equipment acquisitions for live cell analytics funded by the ERDF

The Faculty of Medicine and Biocenter Oulu at the University of Oulu have enhanced their research infrastructure for live-cell analytics with the support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
All instruments are located on the University of Oulu’s Kontinkangas campus and are openly available for both researchers and companies.

The project, Agile Technologies for the Development of Innovative Bioapplications, has enabled acquisition of advanced instruments that support not only cell biological analytics but also research on bacteria and small particles, for example.

The new instruments provide researchers and companies with more versatile and precise tools for their sample analyses. The new technologies advance research in medicine and bioscience and open new possibilities, for example, in water and environmental analytics.

Equipment acquired with ERDF funding

  • BD FACSDiscover S8 Cell Sorter – featuring full-spectrum fluorescence and imaging capabilities through CellView Image technology enable real-time imaging of live cells and multiparametric analyses.
  • BD FACSymphony™ A5 SE Cell Analyzer – a high-precision cell analyzer that utilizes a broad fluorescence spectrum and allows more detailed characterization of complex cell populations.
  • Sartorius Incucyte SX5 – a system for continuous live-cell imaging. It complements the existing Incucyte S3 instrument and significantly increases capacity for long-term live-cell imaging enabling detailed monitoring of cell dynamics and interactions.

ERDF funding accelerates the development of research infrastructure

This two-year project, running from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025, has received funding from the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the Renewing and Competent Finland 2021–2027 program. The total amount of funding is EUR 1 819 083.

The project is carried out by Docent Virpi Glumoff (Laboratory Unit), Docent Sanna Palosaari (Translational Medicine Research Unit), and Docent Pirjo Åström (Biomedical and Internal Medicine Research Unit). The instruments are located within the research infrastructures of the Faculty of Medicine and Biocenter Oulu at the University of Oulu.

“Thanks to ERDF funding, we have been able to develop the University of Oulu’s research infrastructure to meet the future needs of biosciences. The new instruments support both high-quality research, and collaboration with industry,” the project representatives state.

Open infrastructure for researchers and companies

All instruments are located on the University of Oulu’s Kontinkangas campus and are openly available for both researchers and companies. Those interested in collaboration or in using the equipment are welcome to contact the project representatives or the service addresses incucyte@oulu.fi and facs@oulu.fi.

Created 6.11.2025 | Updated 6.11.2025