HOW CAN WE HELP YOU? Call 1-800-TRY-CHOP
Flow Cytometry Equipment
Instruments
For detailed information about our cell sorters and cytometers, please download the Instrument Optical Configuration PDF.
Accuri C6 is an analyzer equipped with two lasers and 4 color detectors and it has capabilities similar to FACSCalibur. In addition, C6 has a flow metering system for automatic calculation of absolute cell counts.
There are two Cytek Aurora spectral analyzers in the flow lab, named Aurora A (located in the main Flow Lab, ARC 1207) and Aurora B (located in CTRB 10107). Both instruments have five lasers (355 nm, 405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm, 640 nm), three light scattering channels, 64 fluorescence channels, and are equipped with a sensor for measuring in real time the sample flow rate. At this time only Aurora A has capability of loading samples from standard 96 well plates. These cytometers are the most powerful analyzers in our lab and they can be used for detecting over 40 fluorochromes in one sample.
Aurora CS is a spectral sorter with a configuration identical to the Aurora analyzers: five lasers (355 nm, 405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm, 640 nm), three light scattering channels, 64 fluorescence channels. It is a very versatile sorter that can be used for simple sorts as well as for sorting populations in complex panels using 100 μm or 70 μm nozzles. Up to six populations can be sorted in Eppendorf tubes and it has capability of depositing single cells or multiple cells in 96 well plates.
The Biosorter (Union Biometrica) is a jet-in-air sorter that can be used for separating large particles. Unlike FACSJazz and MoFlo Astrios which continuously generate droplets, the Biosorter relies on the air deflection of a continuous liquid stream into a tray.
It can be set up with two FOCAs (Fluidics and Optics Core Assemblies): 250 μm and 1,000 μm and it is equipped with two lasers and three fluorescence detectors.
The Biosorter can be used for purifying or enriching, large cells (megakaryocytes, adipocytes), cell clusters (pancreatic islets, Drosophila imaginal discs), whole organisms (C. elegans, zebrafish larvae) and various other particles (e.g. beads).
| Types of samples that can be sorted on the Biosorter | 250 μm FOCA | 1,000 μm FOCA |
|---|---|---|
| Large cells: adipocytes, hepatocytes, megakaryocytes, duct cells | Yes | |
| Small cell clusters: stem cell spheres, mammospheres | Yes | |
| Small organisms: C. elegans (embryo to adult), Drosophila (embryo to 1st instar) | Yes | |
| Beads and other particles (20 - 150 μm) | Yes | |
| Larger cell clusters: neurospheres, pancreatic islets, Drosophila imaginal discs. | Yes | |
| Plants: Arabidopsis, tobacco (seeds, early seedlings) | Yes | |
| Larger organisms: Drosophila (1st to 2nd instar), zebrafish larvae | Yes | |
| Beads and other particles with diameter below 700 μm. | Yes |
We encourage end-users to learn how to operate the Biosorter and run their-own sorts. Typically one session of approximately 2 hours is sufficient for gaining basic sorting skills on Biosorter.
Researchers who prefer to have their samples sorted by the staff should contact us to discuss the project in detail.
Countess links:
We have three CytoFLEX cytometers in the flow lab, each one equipped with a different number of lasers and with a different optical configuration. Instead of photomultipliers (PMTs) which are commonly used as detectors in most standard flow cytometers, the CytoFLEX devices rely on avalanche photodiode (APD) detectors which are characterized by excellent sensitivity and linearity. The characteristics of APDs make the compensation workflow very efficient. Microparticles as small as 200 nm can be detected on these devices by triggering off the side scatter detector. The CytExpert software used on CytoFLEX is easy to learn and operate. All CytoFLEX cytometers in our lab can be used with 12 x 75mm FACS tubes and also can be set to automatically load samples from standard 96 well plates. The following CytoFLEX devices are available in the flow lab:
- CytoFLEX LX (6 lasers): 21 color detectors
- CytoFLEX S (4 lasers): 15 color detectors (located in room ARC 1214 C)
- CytoFLEX S (3 lasers): 15 color detectors.
Evos is a user-friendly inverted imaging system with the following features:
- Fully-automated digital system, fully controlled through software
- Touch-screen monitor
- Long working distance objectives: 1.25x, 4x, 10x, 20x, 40x
- Color camera for bright field and phase-contrast imaging
- Monochrome camera for fluorescence detection
- Up to four colors fluorescence detection. DAPI, GFP, and RFP light cubes are permanently installed. Cy5 light cube can be transferred from the Countess upon request.
- Motorized 3D stage
- Built-in software for scanning slides or plates, time-lapse imaging, Z stacks
Download the Evos FL Auto Quick Start Guide
Evos FL Auto Application Notes:
FACSAria fusion is located in room 1207H, it is equipped 4 lasers, 15 color detectors and it is operated using the FACSDiva software. Up to four populations can be sorted simultaneously on FACSAria and an Automatic Cell Deposition Unit (ACDU) can be used for sorting single or multiple cells in multiwell plates.
FACSCalibur is a cytometer with excellent sensitivity and provides flexibility to support a wide variety of research and clinical applications. It is a very good choice for experienced flow-ers.
FACSJazz is an electrostatic droplet sorter with blue, yellow-green and red lasers and 6 color detectors. It is encased in a class II biosafety cabinet and it is permanently fitted with 100 μm nozzle. The maximum cell sorting speed is up to 10,000 events/second (or 36 million events/hour) and maximum two populations can be sorted at a time. It has capabilities to sort in multiwell plates and to index sort.
Online reservations must be done at least one day in advance and all reservations for assisted use or full-service sorting have to be approved by the staff in order to become effective.
Users who need to sort cells on FACSJazz at least once a week are encouraged to learn how to use this instrument and take advantage of lower rates. Contact us for more details.
LSR Fortessa
It is equipped with 5 lasers and 18 color detectors. It is operated using the FACSDiva software. In addition to the standard configuration shown above, LSRFortessa can be easily reconfigured to detect YFP and GFP in the same sample.
LSR II
LSR II has four lasers (355, 405, 488 and 640 nm), 15 color detectors and it is operated using FACSDiva, the same software used with LSRFortessa.
LSR links:
MoFlo Astrios is a cell sorter equipped with 4 lasers, 14 color detectors. It detects particles as small as 200 nm using the forward scatter as a trigger parameter and it has the capability of depositing cells in different types of multiwell plates. This device is commonly used with a 100 μm nozzle for sorting speeds of up to 10,000 events/second (36 million events/hour). Astrios is placed inside a class II biosafety cabinet. Because the time for setting up Astrios with other nozzle types is longer than on other sorters, we advise researchers who need high-speed sorting on 70 μm nozzle to select Aurora CS of FACSAria.