Flow cytometry cell sorting

The Core operates several sorters across four locations on YSM Campus: The Anlyan Center (TAC), Amistad, 300 George Street, and LEPH. The FACS Arias, Bigfoot, and Aurora cell sorters are operated by trained staff, and the Sony SH800 and MA900 by users who have completed the necessary training.

Sort requests can be scheduled via PPMS. You must have a valid account and CoA on file to request a sort. Cancellations should be made via PPMS, with a courtesy email to the sort operator if the cancellation is within 48 hours of the requested sort time. Please refer to the Policies for information on our scheduling and cancellation rules. 

Depending on the cell type being investigated, there are a variety of procedures for preparing cells. Before labeling cells for sorting, the antibody's concentration may need to be optimized, and appropriate negative and positive controls are needed. It is important to bring cells filtered and in a single-cell suspension, at the proper concentration, and stained with fluorochromes that are suitable for the cytometer of choice.

Cells have the flexibility to be sorted into either 5- or 15-ml tubes, as well as different plates, either as individual cells or multiple cells per well. They can also be placed onto microscopic slides for further examination. Moreover, it is worth noting that all sorters, except for the SONY SH800, have the capability to perform simultaneous 4-way sorting with the Bigfoot capable of 6-way sorting. Additionally, sorters are equipped to handle sorting live human, primate, or other potentially biohazardous cells.

• BD FACSAria at George St
• Sony SH800
• TAC Aria-A
• Thermo Fisher BigFoot Cell Sorter
• Sony MA900 (BSL3 in LEPH)
• TAC Aria Fusion (617)