Fluorescence Cytometry Instruments

On this page:

BD FACSAria
BD FACSCalibur
LSC
Luminex
autoMACS
Zeiss scope
Computer Work Station

BD FACSAria™

The BD FACSAria™ is a state-of-the-art flow cytometer that integrates advanced digital electronics with a fixed-alignment optical path, allowing real-time data acquisition and analysis.  The FACSAria is equipped with 3 solid state lasers, 9 fluorescent PMT detectors, 2 scatter detectors, an aerosol management system and multiple sort acquisition modes.

 

 

Optical Light Configuration:

By knowing the optical configuration of the instrument you can choose what fluorochromes or dyes will be detected.  Besides the common ones listed, you can use one of the on-line spectral viewers or product inserts to find the excitation/emission wavelengths of the fluorochome in question.  Then you compare these curves to the above configuration to see how likely detection will be and how much spectral overlap to expect.

http://bdbiosciences.com/spectra/
http://probes.invitrogen.com/resources/spectraviewer/

Services available on the FACSAria:

• Single or multi-color cellular analysis (phenotyping, intracellular staining, etc.)
• Sorting – up to four different subsets at a time
• Sorting into plates – single cell up to any stated number of cells sorted into a variety of plates (6-well, 96-well, etc.)
• DNA/Cell cycle analysis
• Calcium Flux studies

Scheduling and Sample Preparation:

• Signups are on a first-come, first-served basis.  A calendar is located at the instrument.  Please consult with Core Staff before your first visit.
• All samples run on the Aria must be pre-filtered to avoid clogging the nozzle.  We recommend using 35um filter top tubes (Falcon 352235, VWR order# 21008-948.) 
• Prepare appropriate controls including negatives, single stained controls for compensation, isotypes and/or FMO’s (Fluorescence Minus One), as well as biological controls.  If in doubt, please consult with Core staff on experiment design.
• Sorts – Please download and read our Sorting Guidelines (PDF) or pick up a copy from the Core.

Publication Acknowledgement Request:

The Flow Core receives grant support from NIH/NCRR which should be acknowledged in any publications. The following statement is suggested: "We would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Fluorescence Cytometry Core Facility of the University of Montana supported in part by P20RR017670-06."

• We would appreciate a reprint of your publications.

We appreciate your acknowledgment of the Flow Core services in your publications.

 

BD FACSCalibur™

The BD FACSCalibur (BD-Biosciences) incorporates efficient collection optics and an air-cooled argon laser to analyze up to three colors.  Compact and easy to use, the BD FACSCalibur is a highly sensitive tool, providing the investigator with the technological capabilities crucial for sophisticated cellular and molecular work in areas such as cell cycle, cell function, multicolor analysis, and immune function.

 

Optical Light Configuration:

By knowing the optical configuration of the instrument you can choose what fluorochromes or dyes will be detected.  Besides the common ones listed, you can use one of the on-line spectral viewers or product inserts to find the excitation/emission wavelengths of the fluorochome in question.  Then you compare these curves to the above configuration to see how likely detection will be and how much spectral overlap to expect.

http://bdbiosciences.com/spectra/
http://probes.invitrogen.com/resources/spectraviewer/

Services available on the FACSCalibur:

• Single or multi-color cellular analysis (phenotyping, intracellular staining, etc.)
• DNA/Cell cycle analysis
• Equipped with CellQuest and ModFit Software for analysis

Scheduling and Sample Preparation:

• Signups are on a first-come, first-served basis.  A calendar is located at the instrument.  Please consult with Core Staff before your first visit.
• Samples need to be brought in 5 ml polystyrene tubes (Falcon 352052, VWR Order # 60819-138.)
• Prepare appropriate controls including negatives, single stained controls for compensation, isotypes and/or FMO’s (Fluorescence Minus One), as well as biological controls.  If in doubt, please consult with Core staff on experiment design.

Publication Acknowledgement Request:

The Flow Core receives grant support from NIH/NCRR which should be acknowledged in any publications. The following statement is suggested: "We would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Fluorescence Cytometry Core Facility of the University of Montana supported in part by P20RR017670-06."

• We would appreciate a reprint of your publications.

We appreciate your acknowledgment of the Flow Core services in your publications.

 

Compucyte LSC™

The Compucyte Laser Scanning Cytometer is a hybrid of Flow Cytometry, Image Analysis and Automated Fluorescence Microscopy.  The LSC uses three lasers and four detectors (PMTs) to quantify fluorescence of dyes and probes on microscope slide specimens.  Color images are obtained and monitored by CCD video and digital photography.

 

 

Optical Light Configuration:

By knowing the optical configuration of the instrument you can choose what fluorochromes or dyes will be detected.  Besides the common ones listed, you can use one of the on-line spectral viewers or product inserts to find the excitation/emission wavelengths of the fluorochome in question.  Then you compare these curves to the above configuration to see how likely detection will be and how much spectral overlap to expect.

http://bdbiosciences.com/spectra/
http://probes.invitrogen.com/resources/spectraviewer/

Services available on the LSC:

• Single or multi-color cellular analysis (phenotyping, intracellular staining, etc.)
• DNA/Cell cycle analysis
• Comet Assay
• Apoptosis studies
• Tissue Mapping

Scheduling and Sample Preparation:

• Signups are on a first-come, first-served basis.  A calendar is located at the instrument.  Please consult with Core Staff before your first visit.
• Prepare slides, stain and keep in the dark.  Photobleaching can occur.
• Prepare appropriate controls including negatives, single stained controls for compensation, isotypes, as well as biological controls.  If in doubt, please consult with Core staff on experiment design.

Publication Acknowledgement Request:

The Flow Core receives grant support from NIH/NCRR which should be acknowledged in any publications. The following statement is suggested: "We would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Fluorescence Cytometry Core Facility of the University of Montana supported in part by P20RR017670-06."

• We would appreciate a reprint of your publications.

We appreciate your acknowledgment of the Flow Core services in your publications.

 

Luminex® 100™

The Luminex 100 allows simultaneous assays of up to 100 analytes in a single well of a microtiter plate using a very small sample size.  Applications include nucleic acid assays, receptor-ligand assays, immunoassays and enzymatic assays.  The technology employs an addressable polystyrene bead array with a variety of analyte capture systems.  Lasers are used to quantify fluorescence and define analytes.

 

Scheduling and Sample Preparation:

• Signups are on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please consult with Core Staff before your first visit.
• Kits are available from Luminex, BioSource and many other vendors.  Read kit instructions for sample preparation.
• Prepare appropriate controls including negatives, standards and biological controls.  If in doubt, please consult with Core staff on experiment design.

Publication Acknowledgement Request:

The Flow Core receives grant support from NIH/NCRR which should be acknowledged in any publications. The following statement is suggested: "We would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Fluorescence Cytometry Core Facility of the University of Montana supported in part by P20RR017670-06."

• We would appreciate a reprint of your publications.

We appreciate your acknowledgment of the Flow Core services in your publications.

 

Miltenyi Biotec autoMACS™

MACS technology uses superparamagnetic particles that are coupled to highly specific monoclonal antibodies.  They are used to magnetically label target cell populations.  A strong magnetic field collects the cells on a column, then the unlabeled cells are gently washed off and collected.  The field is turned off, then the labeled cells are collected.  Both labeled and unlabeled populations can be collected in 30 minutes or less with high purity and viability.  Almost any cell type can be isolated with ease and reproducibility.

 

 

Services available on the autoMACS:

• Positive selection cell sorting/purification.
• Negative selection cell sorting/purification.

Scheduling and Sample Preparation:

• Signups are on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please contact staff from Dr. David Shepherd’s lab for use and instruction.

Publication Acknowledgement Request:

The Flow Core receives grant support from NIH/NCRR which should be acknowledged in any publications. The following statement is suggested: "We would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Fluorescence Cytometry Core Facility of the University of Montana supported in part by P20RR017670-06."

• We would appreciate a reprint of your publications.

We appreciate your acknowledgment of the Flow Core services in your publications.

 

Zeiss™ Fluorescence Microscope and Camera:

The Zeiss Fluorescence Microscope is equipped with a Mercury Arc Lamp and three optical filters.  It is also equipped with a Kodak digital camera and software to capture images.

 

 

 

 

Scheduling and Sample Preparation:

• Use is on a first-come, first-served basis. 

 

Publication Acknowledgement Request:

The Flow Core receives grant support from NIH/NCRR which should be acknowledged in any publications. The following statement is suggested: "We would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Fluorescence Cytometry Core Facility of the University of Montana supported in part by P20RR017670-06."

• We would appreciate a reprint of your publications.

We appreciate your acknowledgment of the Flow Core services in your publications.

 

Computer Analysis Workstations:

The core offers two computer workstations for analysis of Flow data.  One is a stand alone desktop computer and the other is a Laptop that may be checked out or used in the lab.  Analysis software includes BD FACS Diva v6.1 and FCS Express v3.0.  Doing analysis off line frees up the instrument for data acquisition and at this time there is no fee for use of these computers.  There is a fee for analysis time on the FACSAria workstation connected to the instrument.

De Novo Software Partner Program

The CEHS Flow Cytometry Core Facility supports FCS Express, a powerful and easy to use flow cytometry data analysis package. The core facility has joined the De Novo Software Partner program which allows all UM employees to purchase FCS Express at a 10% discount. Please contact Pam Shaw for details on how to receive the discount.

Scheduling:

• Signups are on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Publication Acknowledgement Request:

The Flow Core receives grant support from NIH/NCRR which should be acknowledged in any publications. The following statement is suggested: "We would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Fluorescence Cytometry Core Facility of the University of Montana supported in part by P20RR017670-06."

• We would appreciate a reprint of your publications.

We appreciate your acknowledgment of the Flow Core services in your publications.