Derek Davies

Derek Davies has been involved in Cytometry since 1980 initially using micro densitometry to measure DNA content in primary and cultured cells. In 1985 Derek Davies was introduced to Derek Davies's first flow cytometry – the Becton Dickinson FACS Analyzer - and have not looked back since. After an initial grant-funded project looking at DNA and protein content in cervical cells, Derek Davies moved to a core facility at what was the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London. In 1996, Derek Davies became the Head of the Facility which at the time had 3 sorters and 3 analyzers, and a staff of 3. In 2002, the ICRF became Cancer Research UK’s London Research Institute and the facility grew providing analysis, sorting, and image cytometry.

In 2015 the London Research Institute merged with the National Institute for Medical Research and became the Francis Crick Institute. Derek Davies oversaw the transition of two flow facilities to the new Institute which now contains 30 cytometers – traditional flow cytometers, imaging flow cytometers, and mass cytometers, and has a staff of 12. In early 2019 Derek Davies moved into a more wide-reaching role and am responsible for training in all the Francis Crick Institute’s Core Facilities (or Science Technology Platforms). This includes training on the staff of the facilities as well as users but also has an outward-facing role whereby we can provide education and training to the wider scientific community.