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Flow Cytometry

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About the Flow Cytometry

Flow Cytometry is a powerful technique which can rapidly analyse and sort millions of cells.

This technique allows scientists to determine different cell populations within a sample. Analysis of the cell characteristics shows how the number and types of cells change in different diseases or treatment conditions.

There are:

  • 3 flow cytometric analysers which can detect up to 13 parameters
  • 3 conventional cell sorters detecting up to 16 parameters 
  • 1 full spectrum cell sorter, housed in a containment cabinet, detecting up to 48 parameters.

The Facility is open to scientists from the University of Southampton as well as external users.

Technical specification

ThermoFisher Bigfoot Full Spectrum Cell Sorter

The Bigfoot has an integrated containment cabinet providing sample and operator safety equivalent to Class II containment. 

  • 5 laser, 48 fluorescent detector (12UV, 12V, 7B, 12Y, 5R) 
  • 6 scatter detectors off the 488 blue laser
  • equipped with 355nm, 405nm, 488nm, 565nm and 633nm lasers
  • analyse 54 parameters including Forward scatter (FSC) and Side scatter (SSC)

The instrument can sort: 

  • up to 6 independent populations into a mixture of tube types including FACS tubes, Eppendorf type tubes, 15ml and 50ml Falcon type tubes
  • single cells or many cells into various multi-well plate formats up to and including 1536 well plates

BDFACSAriaIIu Conventional Cell sorter

We have two BDFACSAriaIIu insturments which have:

  • 3 lasers
  • 9 colour cell sorters 
  • 405nm, 488nm and 633nm lasers 
  • an Automatic Cell Deposition Unit (ACDU) 

The instrument can: 

  • analyse 11 parameters including FSC and SSC
  • sort up to 4 independent populations into FACS tubes or Eppendorf type tubes, 
  • sort 2 independent populations into 15ml Falcon type tubes
  • sort single cells or many cells into various multi-well plate formats up to and including 384 well plates


BDFACSAriaFusion conventional Cell sorter

The BDFACSAriaFusion is located in the WISH lab and has:

  • 4 lasers
  • 15 colour cell sorter
  • 405nm, 488nm, 561nm and 633nm lasers
  • an Automatic Cell Deposition Unit (ACDU) 

The instrument can: 

  • sort up to 4 independent populations into FACS tubes, Eppendorf type tubes
  • sort 2 independent populations into 15ml Falcon type tubes
  • can analyse 17 parameters including FSC and SSC
  • sort single cells or many cells into various multi-well plate formats up to and including 384 well plates
     

ThermoFisher Attune NxT cytometer

The Attune NxT flow Cytometer located within the School of Human Development and Health and has:

  • 3 lasers
  • 11 colour analyser
  • 405nm, 488nm and 633nm lasers 
  • a volumetric sample and sheath fluid delivery system
  • acoustic focusing to achieve high sensitivity and high throughput

The instrument can:

  • analyse 13 parameters including FSC and SSC 

BDAccuric6 cytometer


The BDAccuriC6 has:

  • 2 lasers of 488nm and 633nm

The instrument can detect a total of 6 parameters including FSC and SS

  • up to 3 parameters from the blue laser 
  • 1 parameter from the red laser 

BDFACSCalibur cytometer


The BDFACSCalibur has:

2 lasers of 488nm and 633nm

The instrument can detect a total of 6 parameters including FSC and SS

  • up to 3 parameters from the blue laser 
  • 1 parameter from the red laser 

Connect

Contact us

We welcome your enquiries.

Dr Carolann McGuire

Faculty of Medicine Flow Cytometry Core Facility,Southampton General Hospital,Tremona Road,SouthamptonSO16 6YD
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