Instruments

High-performance analysis and sorting capabilities

Flow Cytometry is a powerful, laser-based technology, which can be used to analyse the physical, chemical, and biological properties of individual cells, cellular components, and particles. It permits the analysis and isolation of millions of events in suspension in a relatively small amount of time. 

The facility operates five instruments: Two cell sorters – BD FACS ARIA III & BD FACSDiscover S8 and four analysers – BD FACS Canto II, BD Fortessa, Invitrogen Attune, and Sony ID7000.

Sorters

BD FACS ARIA III

The FACSAria III is a high-speed cell sorter that can detect up to 14 different fluorescent parameters and two scatter parameters.  It is capable of sorting up to 4 populations at a time and sorting into 96 or 384 well plates. 

Flow Core staff operate the FACSAria III sorter so no training is required to use this instrument.

  • Temperature control (cooling and heating) is available for collection tubes, plates, and sample ingestion.
  • 4 lasers - Violet (405nm), Blue (488nm), Yellow-Green (561nm), Red (633 nm).
  • Sample tubes: 1.5ml, 2ml & 5ml microcentrifuge tubes, 5mL FACS tubes, 15mL Falcon tubes.
  • Collection tubes:  1.5-50ml tubes and 6/24/48/96/384 well plates.
A scientist sitting at a FACS Aria III cell sorter

BD FACSDiscover S8

The BD FACSDiscover™ S8 Cell sorter is the first cell sorter that combines full-spectrum flow cytometry with sort-capable image analysis. Besides sorting large fluorescent panels, this technology enables sorting based on specific signal localization within the cell or other morphological features.

Flow Core staff operate the BD FACSDiscover™ S8.

  • Temperature control (cooling and heating) is available for collection tubes, plates, and sample ingestion.
  • Spectral analysis – 78 fluorescence detectors covering the full spectrum:
    • UV 349-nm laser – 22 UV detectors, covering 365–860 nm
    • Violet 405-nm laser – 20 Violet detectors, covering 410–860 nm
    • Blue 488-nm laser – 16 Blue detectors, covering 495–860 nm
    • Y/G 561-nm laser – 12 Yellow-green detectors, covering 570–860 nm
    • Red 637-nm laser – 8 Red detectors, covering 645–860nm
  • Fluorescence detectors for imaging:
    • FL1: LP505: 534/46
    • FL2: LP570: 600/60
    • FL3: LP675: 788/225
  • Sample tubes: 1.5 and 2ml microcentrifuge tubes, and 5mL FACS tubes
  • Collection tubes:  1.5-50ml tubes and 6/24/48/96/384 well plates.
Scientist sitting at the FACSDiscover S8 cell sorter

Analysers

Sony ID7000

The Sony ID7000™ Spectral Cell Analyzer is a cutting-edge cytometer capable of high-parameter spectral analysis, using 7 lasers and 186 detectors to detect rare and dim populations with exceptional sensitivity.

  • Lasers: 7 - 320 nm, 355 nm, 405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm, 637 nm, 808 nm
  • Fluorescence detectors: Photomultiplier tubes (32-channel PMTs, single-channel PMTs, and single-channel IR-sensitive PMTs).
  • Sample tubes: 5mL FACS polystyrene tubes, 96 –well plate, 384 well-plate using an HTS plate reader.
ID7000 flow cytometer

BD Fortessa

The BD Fortessa is a benchtop analyser capable of detecting up to 16 fluorescent parameters and two scatter parameters.

There is the option to run plates with the HTS plate loader for high throughput analysis.

Users undergo training and are then able to operate the cytometer independently, but staff are always available to address any queries or issues.

  • Lasers: 4 lasers - Violet (405), Blue (488), Yellow-Green(561), and Red (640).
  • Sample: 5mL FACS polystyrene tubes, 96 well plate using an HTS plate reader.
Scientist sitting at a Fortessa flow cytometer

Invitrogen Attune NxT

The Attune NxT is a very fast benchtop flow cytometer.  It uses acoustic focusing technology to aspirate samples at up to 1ml per minute from tubes or plates. 

Users undergo training and are then able to operate the cytometer independently, but staff are always available to address any queries or issues.

  • Lasers: 2 - Blue (488nm), Yellow-Green (561nm)
  • Sample: 1.5ml-2ml microcentrifuge tube, 5mL FACS tube, and 96 well plate
Scientist sitting at an Attune flow cytometer

BD FACS Canto II

The BD FACS Canto II is a benchtop analyser capable of detecting 8 fluorescence channels and 2 channels for Forward Scatter and Side Scatter. 

There is the option to run plates with the HTS plate loader for high throughput analysis.

Users undergo training and are then able to operate the cytometer independently, but staff are always available to address any queries or issues.

  • Lasers: 5 - 355nm 405nm, 488nm, 561nm, 640nm
  • Sample: 5mL FACS polystyrene tubes, 96 well plate using an HTS plate reader.
Canto II flow cytometer

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