DMP_multispectral imaging flow cytometry for assessment of microplastic particles

Development and application of multispectral imaging flow cytometry for assessment of microplastic particles. The project aims to develop and apply multispectral imaging flow cytometry (mIFC) to assess microplastic particles in a size range between 2 and 40 μm based on their geometrical and colorimetric properties. The measurement is performed utilizing mIFC as a high-throughput method. Therefore, a custom mIFC system equipped with a multispectral imaging detector will be developed and utilized within the PhD study. Different plastic materials exhibit different affinities to dye molecules (lipophilic, hydrophilic, cationic, anionic dyes). This will be used to discriminate microplastic materials based on the chemometric analysis of the incorporated dye molecules. The number and size of microplastic particles will be detected as well to determine their content. Combined with appropriate separation and enrichment methods, mIFC can assess microplastics from various matrices such as seawater, sediments, food, drinks, plants and tissues