Cross Platform Solutions for Autophagy Detection using the guava™8HT and Amnis ImageStream® Systems

Autophagy is an intracellular catabolic pathway which causes cellular protein and organelle turnover, and is associated with diverse diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and Crohn's disease, in addition to aging. It is a tightly regulated process that plays a normal part in cell growth, development, and cellular homeostasis. Autophagy functions as a housekeeping mechanism through disposal of aging and dysfunctional proteins and organelles by sequestering and priming them for lysosomal degradation. Increasing evidence suggests that not only apoptosis, but also autophagy, can contribute to cell death and greatly influence general cell health. Malfunctions of autophagy can adversely impact longevity and the capability of cells to function at full capacity. In this poster read about two key platforms paired with a novel assay design which will allow for the study of autophagy by flow cytometry.