Flow cytometry facility

The facility provides the following services for users:

  • Instrument Access - Analysis

    • Assisted or unassisted - depending on user training (which is provided)

    • Machines available:
      • BD LSRFortessa X-20 (5-laser) - Up to 18 colours
      • Cytek Aurora (4-laser: Violet, Blue, Yellow/Green, Red) - Up to 40+ colours (theoretical spectral capacity; ~30–35 practical for complex panels)
      • Agilent NovoCyte (3-laser: Violet, Blue, Red) - 13 colours
      • Amnis ImageStream (3-laser: Violet, Blue, Red) - 10 fluorescent colours plus brightfield and side scatter channels
    • Seahorse XFe96 Metabolic analyser

  • Cell Sorting - Service based

    • Machines Available
      • BD FACS Aria II - 4-laser (Violet, Blue, Yellow/Green, Red)
      • BD Influx - 4-laser (Violet, Blue, Yellow/Green, Red)

    • Bulk sorting and cloning

    • Multi-population and single-cell sorting

    • Sorting for downstream applications (e.g. scRNA-seq, CRISPR, clonal expansion)

    • Sorting under sterile/BSL2 conditions

  • Training & User Support

    • Introductory instrument training for new users
    • Advanced training on multicolor panel design, compensation, and spectral unmixing

    • Ongoing 1:1 support and troubleshooting

  • Panel Design & Experimental Advice

    • Fluorophore/antibody selection and compatibility

    • Optimisation for complex or rare populations

    • Guidance on staining protocols and controls

  • Sample Preparation Support

    • Advice on buffers, viability, and dissociation

    • Guidance for downstream applications (e.g. RNA-seq collection media)

  • Data Analysis

    • Assistance with gating and QC during analysis

    • Support with FlowJo, online materials and in-person support when required

  • Workshops & Training

    • Flow cytometry basics

    • Spectral cytometry and panel design

    • Advanced data analysis (e.g. dimensionality reduction, clustering