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Development of a European optical plankton analysis system : flow cytometer based technology for automated phytoplankton identification and quantification

Objective



In spite of the rapid progress of the past decade, the use of flow cytometry in the aquatic sciences is still hampered by a lack of suitable equipment tailored to the range of cell size, shape and pigment content encountered in phytoplankton
analysis. This project has the objective of developing a
user-friendly flow cytometer for phytoplankton analysis and
sorting with the following characteristics:

1) a large dynamic range;

2) an increased discrimination level by incorporating pulse shape analysis, light diffraction measurements, and video
imaging-in-flow of the individual particles;

3) the possibility of on-line identification with the aid of sophisticated data-analysis tools of cells for routine
shipboard analysis; and

4) a modular set-up of the instrument with a high degree of ease of deployment and operation.

This development will provide information in unprecedented
detail on the abundance, dynamics, and physiological
characteristics of phytoplankton, microzooplankton, and other aquatic particles. It is expected to open the door to a whole new area of research in aquatic ecology. If the technology
becomes operational, the taxonomists work will increasingly
shift from the laborious counting of individuals to
verification of species.

Call for proposal

Data not available

Coordinator

Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek
Address
501,laan Van Westenenk 501
7300 AH Apeldoorn
Netherlands

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Participants (9)

Dubelaar Research Instruments Engineering
Netherlands
Address
Zeelt 2
2411 DE Bodegraven

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MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V.
Germany
Address
Am Klopferspitz 18 A
82152 Martinsried

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MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT PUBLIC WORKS AND WATER MANAGEMENT
Netherlands
Address
Kortenaerkade 1
2500 EX Den Haag ('S-gravenhage)

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NERC Centre of Coastal and Marine Sciences
United Kingdom
Address
Prospect Place West Hoe
PL1 3DH Plymouth

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NETHERLANDS ORGANISATION FOR APPLIED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH - TNO
Netherlands
Address
9,zernikedreef 9 Gaubius
2301 CE Leiden

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TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFT
Netherlands
Address
Julianalaan 134
2628 BL Delft

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Universiteit van Amsterdam
Netherlands
Address
320,kruislaan
1098 SM Amsterdam

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University of Strathclyde
United Kingdom
Address
John Anderson Building 107 Rottenrow
G4 0NG Glasgow

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University of Wales Cardiff
United Kingdom
Address

CF1 3TL Cardiff

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