Project Grant S10OD040239

Yale University received a $573,005 Project Grant award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of the Director under the Research Infrastructure Programs (CFDA 93.351) to acquire an Avidion Cell Avidity Analyzer from Lumicks. The award, dated May 1, 2026 with completion anticipated by April 30, 2027, supports the installation and deployment of this advanced scientific instrument at Yale's New Haven, Connecticut campus. The Avidion analyzer represents a significant technological advancement over previous cell avidity measurement systems, enabling approximately 200 measurements per day compared to earlier models and accommodating two to three simultaneous users. The instrument incorporates four-color fluorescence capabilities to measure heterogeneous cell populations and correlate cell avidity with additional cellular reporters, while its automated design and user-friendly software enhance accessibility across research teams.

The acquisition will support a broad user base spanning 12 different Yale departments, including five major users and 11 additional identified users, with multiple additional investigators expressing interest in utilizing the technology. The instrument addresses a critical research infrastructure need by measuring the mechanical forces regulating important physiological processes across diverse applications—from endothelial tight junctions and neuronal synapses to immune cell interactions—at significantly higher throughput than previously available low-throughput, single-cell assays. This shared core facility instrument will advance research across basic biological inquiry and clinical translational applications, enabling accelerated research progress across multiple scientific disciplines at the institution.