Workshop

Workshop Title:

Introduction to FlowCam: Flow Imaging Microscopy for Harmful Algae Research & Monitoring

Workshop Description:

Many scientists worldwide are interested in modernizing & expediting their harmful algal bloom research & monitoring programs. One common way of doing this is through automated imaging techniques, yet many researchers are not familiar with the capabilities and limitations of such approaches. This knowledge gap can introduce unnecessary risk during the buying process and make it challenging to interpret data from other studies involving imaging data. In this workshop, we will work to eliminate this knowledge gap by learning more about automated imaging techniques such as flow imaging microscopy (FIM).

FIM first started gaining popularity as a technique for researching and monitoring harmful algae in the late 1990s. FlowCam was one of the first FIMs on the market and has been commercially available for about 20 years.

This workshop is designed for participants who have not used FIM or FlowCam before and who are interested in building proficiency in this widely used technique. The workshop will begin with a 30-minute overview of FIM using FlowCam. This overview will present the history and principles of FIM and case studies on how FlowCam is used for algae research projects and monitoring programs. Following the lecture, attendees will participate in a live FlowCam lesson where they will learn basic skills in instrument setup, data acquisition, and classification. Special focus will be placed on offering key considerations for using FIM in harmful algae research & monitoring, including sample collection & preparation, common freshwater and marine HAB taxa, cell counting & measurement, and frequently asked questions.

Participants will leave this workshop with the ability to: (a) communicate their understanding of the basic operating principles of FlowCam, (b) apply a framework to evaluate if/how FIM can expedite their existing workflow, and (c) reference examples of how FIM has been implemented successfully in other research programs.

Workshop outline

Part 1 (1 hour):
Introduction & Outline (15 minutes)
FlowCam Overview Seminar (30 minutes)
Questions & Break (15 minutes)

Part 2 (1 hour):
FlowCam Hardware (15 minutes)
Running a Sample (15 minutes)
FlowCam Software & Data Analysis (15 minutes)
Conclusion & Questions (15 minutes)

Presenter Details

  • Name: Savannah Judge
  • Title: Aquatic Sales
  • Affiliation: Yokogawa Fluid Imaging Technologies, Inc. (USA)
  • Biography: Savannah works at Yokogawa Fluid Imaging Technologies—the FlowCam manufacturer—in Maine, USA. She specializes in marine research applications with a particular focus on HAB monitoring, aquaculture, and microalgae cultivation. As a member of the Aquatics team for the past 4 years, Savannah works with FlowCam users in a variety of settings, including academic research labs, government agencies, and private companies. Her personal goal for this workshop is for each participant to leave with an exponentially greater understanding of FlowCam/FIM that will equip them to critically evaluate the suitability of FIM in their own work.

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Please select the workshop date you would like to join.

The content is the same for both workshops.

Notice

Workshops are held with a maximum of 18 people per day. Workshop will close when the maximum capacity is reached.

Please contact us if you have any further question,
Hsiao Nai-Wen Naiwen.Hsiao@yokogawa.com

© 20th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HARMFUL ALGAE