Flow Cytometry Core

The Flow Cytometry Core provides access to state-of-the-art cell sorters, analyzers, and workstations to support research faculty at Children's Research Institute.

What is Flow Cytometry?

Flow Cytometry measures the physical and chemical characteristics of cells or particles as they flow past a laser light. Information about the cells is collected by a series of detectors and analyzed.

Cell sorting involves physically separating a specific cell population from the remaining particles in suspension for the purpose of performing further experimental procedures on these purified cells.

Location and Hours of Operation

The Flow Cytometry Core is located at the 1900 9th Avenue building.

Hours

The facility is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extended time is available for trained after-hours users, with Flow Core Manager approval.

Services

The Flow Cytometry Core supports faculty and students at Children's Research Institute as well as investigators at other academic institutions and private companies.

The core provides access to state-of-the-art cell sorters, analyzers, and workstations; training and technical support of investigators; assistance with experimental design, data analysis and interpretation; and assistance in developing novel flow cytometric bead-based techniques.

Available Instruments

Analyzers:

The BD FACSCalibur is a four-color, six-parameter instrument equipped with an air-cooled, 488-nm argon-ion laser and a 633-nm red diode laser.

The BD LSR II is a 10-color, 12-parameter instrument equipped with a 488-nm argon laser, a solid-state 355-nm UV laser and a 633-nm HeNe Laser. The LSR II also has a high throughput system (HTS) that acquires samples from multiwell plates.

Sorter:

The BD FACSAria is an 11-parameter, nine-color, high-speed digital bench-top cell sorter equipped with three fiber-optic-linked solid-state lasers (488 nm, 635 nm, and 407 nm).

The instrument can perform two- and four-way bulk sorting for a variety of tube sizes. The Aria has the automated cell deposition unit (ACDU) for sorting into multiwell plates.

The Aria is also equipped with an aerosol management option (AMO) to control the risk of biohazard exposure by creating a negative laminar-flow pressure in the sort chamber.

Fee Structure

Note: Fees are billable in 15-minute increments.

Children's staff, employees or faculty

FACSCalibur FACSAria LSR II
$33/hour $95/hour (Regular hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon-Fri)
$73/hour (Outside regular hours)		 $40/hour

Non-Children's Users

FACSCalibur FACSAria LSR II
$62/hour $200/hour $85/hour

How to Schedule Instrument Use

  • Scheduling for instruments is done using the online calendar located in the Flow Core facility.
  • Scheduling is on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Booking information must include the user's name, name of investigator, activity (budget) number, date, time, and length of time requested. View an example booking request.
  • Cancellations are allowed up to 24 hours prior to scheduled time.
  • Please read the Flow Cytometry Core Facility Operating Procedures Policy RO-005 (PDF 216KB) for more information regarding scheduling of instruments and necessary training before reserving an instrument.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do the cytometers cost per hour?

See our fee structure.

Are trained staff available to answer questions?

Yes, consultation is available for experimental design, analysis/interpretation, and training on the instrument.

Will the Flow facility process and acquire my data?

No, technicians are responsible for handling their own samples.

How do I schedule time for a cytometer?

The first step is to meet with the Flow Core Manager.

What type of training do I need in order to use the cytometer?

All users must be trained prior to using the instruments. Tutorials can be arranged with the Flow Core Manager and typically take about 2.5 hours to complete.

What type of samples can be run on the cytometers?

Any single cell or particle suspensions can be analyzed including bacteria, yeast, dissociated tissue, and polystyrene beads.

What type of cells are prohibited?

All samples must be blood-borne pathogen free or fixed cells.

Can I use the cytometers after hours and on the weekends?

All users MUST receive training by the facility staff to operate the cytometers and demonstrate the ability to start up, run, & shut down the instruments.

Do you archive data?

All experiments and FCS files generated on the LSRII, Calibur and the Aria must be exported and deleted from the Diva software database after each use. Data should be archived on the SW01 server in the 307 FACS data folder.

Contact Us

View our contact information.