Advancing Immunology Through Training and Collaboration at the 10th African Flow Cytometry Workshop and 12th IDA Symposium in South Africa

Thanks to a competitive travel grant, Bernard Zambo participated in the 10th African Flow Cytometry Workshop at the HVTN Immunology Laboratory in Cape Town, as well as the 12th Infectious Diseases in Africa (IDA) Symposium, held in Stellenbosch, South Africa, from January 27th to February 7th, 2025. He joined a vibrant network of young African scientists passionate about immunology and infectious diseases.

The hands-on flow cytometry workshop, held from January 27th to February 1st, provided hands-on training in key flow cytometry techniques, including mastering instrumentation and compensation strategies; optimizing antibody titrations and multiparameter panel design; ensuring data integrity through validation and advanced FlowJo analysis; troubleshooting experimental challenges; and applying flow cytometry to clinical and immunological research.

Following the workshop, from February 3rd to 7th, Bernard attended the 12th IDA Symposium under the theme “Understanding the impact of COVID-19 vaccine success on the prevention of HIV, malaria, and TB” . This high-impact event, organized by Stellenbosch University and esteemed scientific partners, offered a platform for networking and sharing novel findings and innovative strategies in infectious disease research.

Bernard’s participation in these events strengthens the IBHI Lab’s expertise in advanced immunological techniques and fosters new collaborations that align with our mission to tackle infectious diseases through cutting-edge immunoparasitological research.