The Flow Cytometry Research Group (FCRG) is the latest addition to the ABRF RG family. This RG is currently in its first year and has 9 members several of whom are new to the ABRF but have been very active in and come from the flow cytometry core community. The FCRG has submitted a 3 year research plan that will characterize alterations in both gene expression and ultimately cellular function as a result of the stresses imparted by cell sorting. We will use a variety of cell types, lasers, and sorters to identify optimal conditions and eventually Best Practices for minimal cellular system disruptions. Integration of flow cytometry with other core technologies and ABRF RGs will become even more critical as many new technologies will fully take advantage of the sample processing capability of cell sorting allowing higher resolution targeted downstream molecular applications such as single cell gene expression. The new FCRG will seek to foster collaboration, integration and synergy between experts of diverse technologies the very factors that will become increasingly vital to successful research.