01. Intro to Flow Cytometry Biosafety

A distance learning opportunity
January 21 and 28, 2026
1:00 – 3:00 PM (CST)

Avrill Aspland, MBA, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia 
Iyadh Douagi, PhD, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
Members of the ISAC Biosafety Committee – Benjamin Fontes, Alyssa Fears, Evan Jellison, Kristen Reifel

Intro to Flow Cytometry Biosafety will provide safety professionals and anyone working in a laboratory setting a foundation on flow cytometry and cell sorting and strategies for mitigating the risks associated with typical flow cytometry instrumentation and procedures. This course will include a detailed overview of how flow cytometers work, common sample types that are handled in flow cytometry laboratories, a typical flow cytometry workflow, and considerations for core facilities/shared resource laboratories. The risks associated with flow cytometry and cell sorting will be discussed as well as mitigation strategies that can be implemented to reduce these risks. The course will be presented by experts from the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC) Biosafety Committee and will include an overview of the ISAC Biosafety Standards. This course will include lecture material, breakout sessions where attendees will evaluate risks and develop plans for risk mitigation using real-world examples, and ample time for questions.

• Describe the fundamental principles of flow cytometry and cell sorting including how flow cytometers operate and the typical components of a flow cytometry workflow
• Recognize key biosafety risks associated with flow cytometry instrumentation and procedures, particularly in core facilities and shared resource laboratories
• Restate a typical workflow in a flow cytometry laboratory
• Apply risk mitigation strategies to flow cytometry workflows, including containment practices and procedural controls
• Interpret and implement the ISAC Biosafety Standards within their own laboratory settings
• Collaborate with peers and experts to explore real-world biosafety challenges in flow cytometry, sharing insights and strategies for effective risk management
• Evaluate and enhance biosafety practices tailoring approaches to suit diverse laboratory environments and flow cytometry applications

Biosafety and EH&S professionals (IBC members) in government, industry, academic and other institutions/organizations; Clinical Laboratory Personnel, Flow Cytometry Lab Personnel and Leadership

Suggested Background: None

This course has been approved for 0.5 CM points toward RBP/CBSP recertification. *ABSA International is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.^® Program. This course is approved for 4.0 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours. Course access links are unique and for individual use only. Sharing is prohibited. Duplicate logins or unregistered attendees will be removed from the webinar without a refund.