Flow Cytometry Facility
The Flow Cytometry Facility is located in room 48 of the Eckstein Medical Research Building (EMRB). The Facility has one magnetic-based and eight laser-based instruments whose major purpose is the identification and isolation of various cell populations. The laser-based instruments accomplish this by the use of antibodies to which various fluorochromes or fluorescent dyes have been attached and are directed at molecules known to exist on the cell surface or in the cytoplasm. By using several fluorochromes attached to different antibodies, one can identify and purify cells that express any given configuration of various molecules.
In addition to identification and isolation of various cell populations using antibodies, flow cytometry can analyze:
- Cell proliferation response to drugs or treatments, such as those used in chemotherapy
- Cell physiological properties, such as calcium flux and pH
- DNA content and integrity
- Transfection markers such as GFP, mCherry, RFP, dTomato, mOrange, and CFP
- Quantification of cytokines, gene expression, micro RNA
The Facility provides scientific and technical personnel who are available for consultation in designing experimental protocols and training in the use of bench-top instruments and software programs for the interpretation and analysis of data. Cell preparation protocols and publication quality output are available upon request.
Offline data analysis using SpectroFloTM, FlowJoTM, DiVaTM, and ModFITTM can be done through the facility's system of networked computers. Investigators can perform analysis at their laboratories or offices by accessing data through the facility's dedicated file server. Data are archived on a separate server and stored for at least 10 years.
A secure, web-based reservation system allows investigators to schedule instrument time. The Facility is staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is available 24/7 following training.
Non-principal Investigator Account Request
If you are a research assistant, undergraduate student, graduate student, resident, or fellow in a principal investigator's lab, please use the form at the following link to request a Flow Cytometry account. Once your account is active, you will have access to the online reservation system and flow cytometry data server.
Principal Investigator Account Request
If you are a new principal investigator, please use the form at the following link to request a Flow Cytometry account. Once your account is active, you will have access to the online reservation system, flow cytometry data server, and personnel in your lab can request Flow Cytometry accounts.