Spectral Flow Cytometry Symposium 2026

• Listen to talks from international speakers detailing the spectral cytometry technology and analysis methods

• Participate in hands-on workshops to explore a range of cutting-edge equipment and analysis techniques

• Meet 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 companies
• Enjoy great food throughout the symposium and connect with the community – plus an evening social on 1st July

Invited speakers:

Sarah Bonte - VIB-UGent, Belgium

"Workflows for comparing spectral flow cytometry data across multiple technologies"

Jessica Back - Wayne State University, USA

"A Robust Pairing: Spectral Cytometry and High Parameter Imaging"

Ruth Barnard - GSK, UK

"Necessity is the Mother of Innovation: Spectral Flow Cytometry in a GCP Laboratory"

Thomas Hayday - IMU Biosciences, UK

"Mapping the Future of Medicine: Using Spectral Cytometry and AI to Decode the Human Immune System"

Florian Mair - 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 - Francis Crick Institute, UK

"Cytometry: What Has Changed, What Hasn’t, and What It Means for Expertise"

Wednesday 1st July - to be confirmed

Thursday 2nd July - to be confirmed

🌈 Before You Unmix: A Beginner’s Introduction to Spectral Flow course

Course tutors: Rachael Walker and Derek Davies

30th June 2026 – 13:00-17:00

If 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.

Thanks 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.

• BD FACSDiscover S8 Spectral and Imaging Sorter
• Cytek Aurora CS Spectral Sorter
• Thermo Fisher Bigfoot Spectral Sorter
• Sony ID7000 Spectral Analyser
• Cytek Aurora EVO Spectral Analyser
• Thermo Fisher Attune Xenith Spectral Analyser
• Beckman Coulter CytoFLEX mosaic Spectral Analyser
• Challenbio CytoStellar Spectral Analyser
• Agilent Opteon Spectral Analyser

Classroom based workshops : To be announced

Tickets 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.

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Host or Publisher The Babraham Institute