Flow Cytometry Facility Equipment
Below are details of the equipment we house within the Flow Cytometry Core Facility and how researchers are able to access them.
For information relating to the optical layouts click on the links in each section.
Analysers
BD FACSymphony
Acquired in 2018, the FACSymphony from BD Biosciences is a 5 laser, 30 parameter instrument and is our flag ship flow cytometer. Equipped with 8 detectors off a 100mW UV laser it enables up to 8 BUV flurochromes to be used in a single panel. The FACSymphony has a HTS fitted for plate screening.
Location - CTF lab
Compensation and signal spread matrix data for panel design
Funding: University of Manchester
LSRFortessa SORP (CTF)
One of two 5-laser systems in the facility the LSRFortessa is able to detect up to 18 fluorescent channels and two scatter channels. A real work horse and a very popular system. The LSRFortessa is fitted with a HTS system for plate screening.
Location - CTF Lab
Funding: MCCIR and GSK
LSRFortessa SORP (Smith)
One of two 5-laser systems in the facility the LSRFortessa is able to detect up to 18 fluorescent channels and two scatter channels. A real work horse and a very popular system. The LSRFortessa is fitted with a HTS system for plate screening.
Location - Michael Smith Lab
Funding: Medical research Council (MRC)
Cytek Aurora
Installed in 2023 the Aurora from Cytek is a full spectral cytometer enabling full unmixing of complex multicolour channels and autofluorescence removal.
Please contact the lab directly if you require access and training on the Aurora
Location - CTF Lab 2.23f
filter configuration (to come)
Funding: Medical research Council (MRC) (2022)
LSRFortessa X20
With 3 lasers and the ability to collect up to 14 fluorescence channels the BD LSRFortessa X20 fits into our mid-range analyser family. The X20 has been designed to exploit the Brilliant Violet (BV) range of flurochromes.
Location - CTF lab 2.23f
Funding: Arthritis UK
FACS Verse
The FACSVerse is a 2-laser, 6-colour analyser with a built in multi-tube and 96 well plate reader.
Purchased principally for performing cytomkine bead assays, the FACSVerse also allows the ability to analyse small panels with very high sensititvity.
Location - CTF lab
Funding: MCCIR and GSK
Sorters
BD FACS Aria-Fusion
Our FACS Aria Fusion high-speed cell sorter is equipped with 4 lasers and able to detect 14 fluorescence channels. It is housed inside its own biosafety hood. We can sort up to 4 separate samples simultaniously into various size tubes and single cells sorting into multiwell plates is also available. This equipment is run by trained staff within the Facility as a service to researchers. For information on sample prep for cell sorting see the link at the top of the page.
Location - CTF Lab 2.23f
Funding: Medical research Council (MRC)
BD Influx
Our BD Influx is a jet-in-air high-speed cell sorter equipped with 5 lasers and able to detect 16 fluorescence channels. It is housed inside a Cat-II biosafety hood. The Influx can sort up to 6 separate samples simultaniously into various size tubes and single cells sorting into multiwell plates is also available. This equipment is run by trained staff within the Facility as a service to researchers. For information on sample prep for cell sorting see the link at the top of the page.
Location - CTF Lab 2.23f
Funding: MCCIR and GSK
Bigfoot
Our Bigfoot cell sorter from Thermo Fisher has 7 spatially separated lasers system and 60 detection channels. The Bigfoot was the first spectral cell sorter available on the market and is able to do emission (spectral) unmixing as well as 'traditional' compensation of multicolour samples.
Location - CTF Lab 2.23f
filter configuaration (to come)
Funding: BBSRC (2021)
Single Cell Proteomics
Amnis ImageStream
Combining the imaging power of a fluorescent microscope with the multi-colour capabilities and throughput of a flow cytometer the ISx allows almost limitless dimensionality with imaging cytometry on single cells. The ISx has 4 lasers 9 fluorescent channels, a choice of 20x, 40x or 60x magnification, EDF optics and a 96 well plate autosampler for walk away automation.
Ideally suited to collecting quantitative data from internalisation assays, translocation assessment, cell cycle, apoptosis and small particle (exosomes, microvesicles) analysis.
Experienced staff can help with assay development, data collection and data analysis.
Check out the ImageStreamX link above for more specific information.
Location - CTF Lab
Funding: Medical Research Council
CyTOF XT
Mass cytometry is a technology that allows in excess of 50 parameters to be analysed on single cells. using isotopically pure heavy metal tags on conventional, flow cytometry antibodies, mass cytometry is able to detect very high dimensional data from precious material. Utilizing ICP-MS detection minimal signal spill is observed between signals. We offer a conjugation service to custom create reagents.
The CyTOFXT is a 4th generation system and is capable of detecting signal from a range of 89 to 209 atomic masses.
Support is available for experiment and panel design, custon conjugations, data acquisition and data anlaysis.
Check out the 'CyTOF' link above for more specific information.
Location - AV Hill Lab
Funding: Medical Research Council (MRC) (2023)
Hyperion
A tissue imaging add-on to the CyTOF-Helios system, the Hyperion enables up to 50 different antibodies to be detected on a single tissue section. Metal tagged antibodies are used to label cells and a high power laser ablates the tissue into the ICP-MS system. Data counts from 1um square areas can be analysed with workflows designed around CellProfiler and Histocat software.
Support is available for experiment and panel design, custon conjugations, data acquisition and data anlaysis.
This equipment is run by trained staff within the Facility as a service to researchers.Operator training is available to users who are likely to access it frequently.
Check out the 'CyTOF' link above for more specific information.
Location - AV Hill Lab
Funding: BBSRC