# Event Details - **Event Name**: Spectral Flow Cytometry Symposium 2026 - **Event Start and End Date**: Wed, 01 Jul, 2026 at 09:00 am – Thu, 02 Jul, 2026 at 05:00 pm - **Event Description**: Join us for a two-day interactive practical Symposium, featuring international speakers and showcasing the latest spectral technologies.About this EventThe Spectral Flow Cytometry Symposium has a strong focus in ensuring delegates have a highly interactive experience :Listen to talks from international speakers detailing the spectral cytometry technology and analysis methodsParticipate in hands-on workshops to explore a range of cutting-edge equipment and analysis techniquesMeet with technical specialists from leading flow cytometry companies, explore a range of cutting-edge equipment offered by exhibiting companies.Explore an extensive exhibition featuring cutting-edge equipment from leading companiesEnjoy great food throughout the symposium and connect with the community – plus an evening social on 1st JulyInvited speakers:Sarah Bonte - Postdoc, VIB-UGent, Belgium"Workflows for comparing spectral flow cytometry data across multiple technologies"Jessica Back - Director, MICR Core & Research Core Facilities, Wayne State University, USA"A Robust Pairing: Spectral Cytometry and High Parameter Imaging"Ruth Barnard - Director, GSK, UK"Necessity is the Mother of Innovation: Spectral Flow Cytometry in a GCP Laboratory"Thomas Hayday - Chief Scientific Officer & Founder, IMU Biosciences, UK"Mapping the Future of Medicine: Using Spectral Cytometry and AI to Decode the Human Immune System"Florian Mair - Director Flow Cytometry Facility, ETH Zurich, Switzerland"Elucidating the complexity of spread in the era of 50-color spectral cytometry"Bartek Rajwa - Purdue University, USA"Making sense of panel-quality metrics in spectral cytometry: a practical statistical view"Andy Riddell - Head of Flow Cytometry, Francis Crick Institute, UK"Cytometry: What Has Changed, What Hasn’t, and What It Means for Expertise"Programme:Wednesday 1st July Registration with tea & coffee is open from 8.30am9:15 – 9.40: Welcome from Rachael Walker, Head of Flow Cytometry, Babraham Institute9:40 – 10:20: A Robust Pairing: Spectral Cytometry and High Parameter Imaging - Jessica Back, Director, MICR Core & Research Core Facilities, Wayne State University, USA10:20 – 11.00: Necessity is the Mother of Innovation: Spectral Flow Cytometry in a GCP Laboratory - Ruth Barnard, Director, GSK, UK11.00- 11:30 Refreshments & Exhibition kindly supported by Dotmatics11:30 – 13.00 WORKSHOP SESSION 113.00 – 14.00 Lunch kindly supported by Slingshot Biosciences14.00 – 15:30 WORKSHOP SESSION 215:30 – 16.00 Refreshments & Exhibition16.00 – 16:40: Cytometry: What Has Changed, What Hasn’t, and What It Means for Expertise - Andy Riddell, Head of Flow Cytometry, The Francis Crick Institute, UK16:40 - 17:20: Elucidating the complexity of spread in the era of 50-color spectral cytometry - Florian Mair, Director Flow Cytometry Facility, ETH Zurich, Switzerland17.20-17.40 Closing – polls18:00 Evening Social kindly supported by SonyThursday 2nd July9:00 - 9:05 Welcome back to Day Two, Rachael Walker, Head of Flow Cytometry, Babraham Institute9:05 – 9:45: Workflows for comparing spectral flow cytometry data across multiple technologies - Sarah Bonte, Postdoc, VIB-UGent, Belgium9:45 – 10:25: Mapping the Future of Medicine: Using Spectral Cytometry and AI to Decode the Human Immune System - Thomas Hayday, Chief Scientific Officer & Founder, IMU Biosciences10:25 - 11:00 Refreshments & Exhibition11:00 – 12:30 WORKSHOP SESSION 312:30-13:30 Lunch kindly supported by FluoroFinder13:30 – 15:00 WORKSHOP SESSION 415:00 - 15:30 Refreshments & Exhibition15:30 – 16:10: Making sense of panel-quality metrics in spectral cytometry: a practical statistical view - Bartek Rajwa, Research Professor, Purdue University, USA16.10- 16.30 Closing Address Polls https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/d0a821d0-7527-11f1-a6ed-5146a8713f7b-rimg-w1200-h675-dc775c47-gmir.jpg ? Before You Unmix: A Beginner’s Introduction to Spectral Flow courseCourse tutors: Rachael Walker and Derek Davies30th June 2026 – 13:00-17:00If you’re new to spectral flow cytometry, this half‑day course is the perfect place to begin. We’ll break down the essentials in a simple, friendly way — no jargon, no assumptions, no overwhelm. Together, we’ll explore what “full spectrum” really means, why spectral flow works differently from conventional flow, and how unmixing transforms raw data into something you can actually interpret.Whether you’re taking this session as a standalone introduction or using it to get comfortable before diving into the symposium, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of the core concepts, the confidence to follow more advanced discussions, and the sense that spectral flow isn’t nearly as mysterious as it first appears. Think of it as the smooth on‑ramp to the spectral highway — helping you feel prepared, empowered, and ready to get the most out of everything that follows.· Gain a clear understanding of the principles behind full‑spectrum detection.· Learn how fluorochrome signatures contribute to unmixing.· Identify the key reference controls required for reliable spectral experiments.· Interpret simple spectral plots and unmixing outcomes.· Enter the symposium with a solid, foundational understanding of the terminology and workflows.Symposium WorkshopsThanks to the unique set up at the Babraham Institute, the Symposium is able to offer interactive workshops on a range of commercially available spectral cytometers.A brand new selection of workshop sessions will be offered to delegates in 2026. Each delegate will be able to choose 4 workshops to attend over the two days. Delegates will be emailed 2 weeks before the Symposium and asked to select their workshop choices.This year the Symposium's workshops will include a range of practical and classroom based topics.2026 WorkshopsWorkshop Titles and abstractsLab based: We are able to offer a practical sessions on each of the following instruments – NB not all instruments are available for each time slot, so please look at the time table.BD FACSDiscover S8 Spectral and Imaging SorterCytek Aurora CS Spectral SorterThermo Fisher Bigfoot Spectral SorterSony ID7000 Spectral AnalyserCytek Aurora Evo Spectral AnalyserThermo Fisher Attune Xenith Spectral AnalyserBeckman Coulter CytoFLEX mosaic Spectral AnalyserAgilent NovoCyte Opteon Spectral AnalyserBD FACSDiscover A8 analyserChallenBio Cytostellar Spectral AnalyserThe Slingshot Effect: Using synthetic cells to gain real precision.Classroom-basedPreparing Spectral Flow Cytometry Data for Publication: Practical Statistical Analysis and PresentationBartek RajwaThis introductory, interactive workshop will cover fundamental principles for analyzing, presenting, and publishing spectral flow cytometry data. Although designed to be accessible to participants with limited statistical, mathematical, or programming background, the workshop will also be useful for advanced users because it will explain, in depth, the basic quantitative operations underlying spectral cytometry. These will include the mathematical logic of spectral unmixing, the computation and interpretation of spectral panel-quality metrics, and the first-principles reasoning behind operations that are often treated as black boxes.The goal is to make these operations transparent: what is being calculated, why it is calculated, what assumptions are involved, and how the resulting values should be interpreted in the context of publishable cytometry data. All key concepts will be demonstrated using simple R code and hands-on examples, allowing participants to follow each calculation step by step.The workshop will also address practical issues in statistical presentation, including how to display compositional data such as cell-population percentages, why transformations are often used for visualization, and how to distinguish effect size from statistical significance. Particular emphasis will be placed on why p-values cannot be used to communicate the magnitude or biological relevance of an observed effect. Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptop computers with R installed so they can follow along with the demonstrations and exercises.Staining success: blocking, titration and fixationOliver Burton, University of CambridgeSample preparation is key to reproducible, high-quality flow cytometry data. In this workshop, I'll cover a range of tips and tricks to improve signal and reduce background in flow cytometry assays. Topics will include antibody titration, different types and purposes of blocking reagents, types of fixatives and when to use them, and a discussion on how these factors influence panel design and stability.Best practices in high-dimensional spectral panel design: a step-by-step guide to successFlorian Mair, Eth ZurichRecent advances in cytometry instrumentation and reagents have increased the maximum possible dimensionality of a fluorescence-based flow cytometry experiment up to 50 different markers. However, without appropriate guidance, designing these high-dimensional panels can be time-consuming and frustrating.In this workshop, we outline systematic workflows to design any panel from 10-50 parameters on conventional and spectral cytometers, while minimizing wet-lab trial and error. After covering theoretical aspects of spectral flow cytometry and practical basics that are relevant for panel design, we will use an interactive format to design a panel and discuss typical caveats and problems. Specifically, we will: Summarise key aspects of how spectral flow cytometry worksComputational Cytometry 101Sarah Bonte, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, BelgiumThe default computational analysis pipeline consists of three main steps: pre-processing and quality control, clustering, and downstream (statistical) analysis. Quality control (i.e. removing low quality events and detecting and solving batch effects) is especially important in a computational setting, because of the garbage in, garbage out principle. The overall pipeline (and specific considerations for spectral data) will be discussed and some computational tools like PeacoQC for quality control, CytoNorm for batch effect removal and FlowSOM for clustering will be highlighted.Approaches to Autofluorescence (AF) Management with Full Spectrum Profiling™ (FSP) and Tools within SpectroFlo® to Enhance Resolution in Samples with Complex AF.Adam Davison, Cytek BiosciencesCharacterizing and understanding the impact of autofluorescence (AF) in our samples allows for the determination of suitable methodologies to mitigate its impact upon antigen resolution. This workshop will introduce how to qualify AF impact and top select suitable approaches including panel design recommendations to optimize end outcomes. Here we will showcase existing tools within SpectroFlo® to rapidly overcome intense and complex AF in minutes using an example case study.Advanced Analysis in OMIQ: Secure Collaboration and Parallel Algorithms in the CloudJamie McCarthy, FCS Express, DotmaticsOMIQ (www.omiq.ai) offers an innovative solution bridging both classical and high-dimensional analysis in a pleasantly designed cloud software which also allows collaboration, automation, and data management. You can expect to see an overview of the OMIQ platform, including our integrated features. We will also run a live demonstration of Data Analysis in OMIQ; going from raw data to p-values. Through our integration with Graphpad Prism you can also reduce manual data handling and automate your statistical analysis.Spectral Cytometry is enabling more parameters, more files and more events in your experiments and our OMIQ Application Scientist will focus on modern high parameter algorithms and solutions hosted in a cloud environment to get the most out of your data.Approaches to Spectral Unmixing Challenges: A Detective's JourneyLaura Ferrer Font, Waters BiosciencesThe overarching goal of this workshop is to provide all participants with the knowledge and tools they need to successfully design and troubleshoot their polychromatic cytometry experiments irrespective of the platform used.Supporting Spectral Cytometry: An SRL PerspectiveJessica Back, Wayne State University, USA & Philip Hobson, Francis Crick Institute, LondonThis workshop will focus on real-world experiences with integrating spectral technologies into a Shared Resource Laboratory (SRL). Discussion topics will include:Developing staff expertiseManaging complex analysis pipelinesData management and storageManaging user expectationsAsk the Experts Q&A sessionRachael Walker, Oliver Burton, Jessica Back, Phil HobsonModerator: Derek DaviesAlthough Spectral Flow Cytometry is now an established technology and has been adopted by many Core Labs and researchers, there still remain challenges. This moderated session with bring together experts to address questions that delegates may have related to hardware, experimental design best practices, data analysis, reagents, and more.From Unmixing to High-Dimensional Insights in FlowJo v10Serena di CeciliaSpectral data can feel complex but with the right workflow, it becomes a powerful discovery tool. This workshop takes participants from spectral unmixing and quality control through to high-dimensional data analysis in FlowJo v10. By exploring tools such as UMAP, t-SNE, and clustering, attendees will learn how to uncover hidden populations and turn complex datasets into clear, interpretable results.From Unmixing to High-Dimensional Insights in FlowJo v11Serena Di CeciliaSpectral data can feel complex but with the right workflow, it becomes a powerful discovery tool. This workshop takes participants from spectral unmixing and quality control through to high-dimensional data analysis in FlowJo v11. By exploring tools such as UMAP, t-SNE, and clustering, attendees will learn how to uncover hidden populations and turn complex datasets into clear, interpretable results.Empower spectral data analysis with the Cytobank platform: Automated gating, Advanced illustration and Unsupervised DiscoveryMaria SalvanySpectral flow cytometry produces highly complex datasets that require powerful analytical tools to unlock their full biological value. This workshop introduces Cytobank's end-to-end platform for spectral data analysis, featuring automated gating, integrated statistics, flexible publication-ready visualizations, and advanced machine learning algorithms for unsupervised population discovery. Attendees will learn practical approaches for dimensionality reduction, clustering, biomarker discovery, and reproducible analysis workflows that accelerate insight generation from high-dimensional cytometry experiments. https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/d0d1c9e0-7527-11f1-a87c-552e322304e6-rimg-w1200-h719-dcc0c0c0-gmir.jpg Further Symposium InformationTickets will provide delegates with full access to the Sympsoium for both days and a choice of four workshops (bookings for the focused Symposium's workshops will be offered to registered delegates at a later date).Discounted tickets are available for academic staff, clinical centres, Facility Cores/Shared Resource Laboratories and Babraham Research Campus attendees. https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/d0fbe720-7527-11f1-a6ed-5146a8713f7b-rimg-w1200-h675-dc181717-gmir.jpg This event is kindly sponsored by https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/d12da580-7527-11f1-b452-0f2e0e513fce-rimg-w973-h740-dcffffff-gmir.jpg - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/cambridge/spectral-flow-cytometry-symposium-2026/100001979863285383 - **Event Categories**: workshops, exhibitions - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 8 hours - Location: The Babraham Institute - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 102, max: 102, currency: GBP ## Event venue details - **city**: Cambridge - **state**: EN - **country**: United Kingdom - **location**: The Babraham Institute - **lat**: 52.13257100000001 - **long**: 0.2057 - **full address**: The Babraham Institute, The Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Spectral Flow Cytometry Symposium 2026 - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events1/banners/b6e36a240f2a9abb0db0aa95ecdc01cc8e72c2de708f1ed79ae5d997fa04eabd-rimg-w1200-h683-dc000000-gmir.png?v=1767715343 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Spectral Flow Cytometry Symposium 2026 being held? - **A:** Spectral Flow Cytometry Symposium 2026 takes place on Wed, 01 Jul, 2026 at 09:00 am to Thu, 02 Jul, 2026 at 05:00 pm at The Babraham Institute, The Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom. - **Q**: Who is organizing Spectral Flow Cytometry Symposium 2026? - **A:** Spectral Flow Cytometry Symposium 2026 is organized by The Babraham Institute. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Spectral Flow Cytometry Symposium 2026 is ideal for art lovers, trade professionals, collectors, and exhibition enthusiasts exploring the latest in their field. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Cambridge, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Spectral Flow Cytometry Symposium 2026 sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "Spectral Flow Cytometry Symposium 2026", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events1/banners/b6e36a240f2a9abb0db0aa95ecdc01cc8e72c2de708f1ed79ae5d997fa04eabd-rimg-w1200-h683-dc000000-gmir.png?v=1767715343", "startDate": "2026-07-01", "endDate": "2026-07-02", "url": "https://allevents.in/cambridge/spectral-flow-cytometry-symposium-2026/100001979863285383", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "The Babraham Institute", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "The Babraham Research Campus", "postalCode": "CB22 3AT", "addressLocality": "Cambridge", "addressRegion": "EN", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "52.13257100000001", "longitude": "0.2057" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "Join us for a two-day interactive practical Symposium, featuring international speakers and showcasing the latest spectral technologies.", "offers": [ { "@type": "AggregateOffer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "GBP", "availabilityStarts": "2026-08-25", "availabilityEnds": "2026-07-02", "validFrom": "2026-08-25", "lowPrice": "102.00", "highPrice": "102.00", "price": "102.00", "url": "https://allevents.in/cambridge/spectral-flow-cytometry-symposium-2026/100001979863285383" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/SoldOut", "priceCurrency": "GBP", "availabilityStarts": "2026-08-25", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-08-25", "url": "https://allevents.in/cambridge/spectral-flow-cytometry-symposium-2026/100001979863285383", "price": "102.00", "name": "Spectral Course - 30th June" } ], "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The Babraham Institute", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/the-babraham-institute/23998495" } ] } ] ```