Flow Cytometry Instruments

Our cell sorters have different optical configurations (laser, detectors & filters) and use different sorting technologies in order to accommodate many panels and applications. Click on the instruments below for detailed optical configuration information.

Clients must provide sample biosafety information for every cell sorting reservation.

  • The FCF operates in Containment Level 2 (CL2) laboratories and can handle samples designated as RG1 or RG2.
  • All of our cell sorters are installed in biosafety cabinets.
  • Samples or agents designated as RG3 and RG4 are prohibited from FCF labs.
  • More information about FCF Biosafety Policies can be found in iLab.
BD Biosciences Cell Sorters
InstrumentAria III CFIAria Fusion AAria Fusion BSymphony S6 A
LocationPMCRT, 2-203PMCRT, 2-504PMCRT, 2-203PMCRT, 2-203
# of colours18161630
LASERS
UV---60 mW
Violet50 mW85 mW85 mW200 mW
Blue20 mW50 mW50 mW200 mW
(Yellow) Green50 mW (561 nm)150 mW (532 nm)150 mW (532 nm)150 mW (561 nm)
Red15 mW100 mW100 mW140 mW
Sony Cell Sorters
InstrumentSony MA900
LocationPGCRL, 18.9430
# of colours12
LASERS (co-linear)
Violet / Blue / Red-
Blue / Yellow-Green36 mW / 36 mW (561 nm)
Violet / Red10 mW / 36 mW

Our analyzers have different optical configurations (laser, detectors & filters) designed to accommodate many panels and applications. Click on the instruments below for detailed optical configuration information.

The LSR Fortessa and Symphony A3 have a High Throughput Sampler (HTS) option. The HTS unit allows for acquisition from 96- or 384-well plates. Additional training is required to use the HTS option.

  • To request training, submit an Analyzer HTS Training Request (listed under the Training Requests category) in iLab.

Clients must provide sample biosafety information for every analytical reservation.

  • The FCF operates in Containment Level 2 (CL2) laboratories and can handle samples designated as RG1 or RG2.
  • Samples or agents designated as RG3 and RG4 are prohibited from FCF labs.
  • More information about FCF Biosafety Policies can be found in iLab.
InstrumentFortessaFortessa BSymphony A3 ASymphony A3 CSymphony A3 BLSRII GCSymphony A5SE
LocationPGCRL, 18.9430PMCRT, 2-203PMCRT, 2-504PMCRT, 2-504PGCRL, 18.9430PGCRL, 18.9430PMCRT, 2-504
# of colours17182828281248
HTS unitYesYesYesYesYesNoYes
LASERS
UV20 mW30 mW45 mW45 mW60 mW-60 mW
Violet50 mW50 mW100 mW100 mW100 mW50 mW200 mW
Blue100 mW50 mW100 mW100 mW100 mW100 mW150 mW
(Yellow) Green150 mW (532 nm)150 mW (532 nm)100 mW (561 nm)100 mW (561 nm)100 mW (561 nm)-150 mW (561 nm)
Red40 mW60 mW140 mW140 mW140 mW20 mW140 mW

For access please submit request in iLab.

Each analyzer has its own default configuration designed for a specific set of commonly used fluorochromes in which all detectors are used simultaneously. Filters in this configuration may not necessarily be optimal for your particular fluorochrome combination. Additional filters are available and can be signed out from the FCF office.

  • To request alternative filters, submit a General Assistance Request (listed under the General Requests category) in iLab.

The instruments must be returned to their default configuration after use.

  • A member of our staff will assist you to sign out the filter(s) you require during normal working hours (Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Please return the filter(s) to a member of the our staff at the end of your appointment.
  • If your appointment occurs after hours or on the weekends, the filter(s) must be returned by 10 a.m. the next working day.
Magnetic Cell Separators

Magnetic cell separation technology can be used to enrich heterogeneous cell samples for particular cell populations prior to sorting, or as an endpoint itself (e.g. positive selection of CD11c+ DC, generation of Lineage negative cells for adoptive transfer).

Our facility has an automated magnetic separator, autoMACS Pro Separator (Miltenyi Biotec), located in room 2-504 at PMCRT. A mandatory 15-minute training session provided by FCF staff is a prerequisite.

autoMACS Pro Separator

Location: PMCRT 2-504

The autoMACS Pro Separator is a bench-top automated magnetic cell separator used for cell isolation and enrichment. Up to six samples can be processed automatically in volumes ranging from 0.2 mL to 50 mL. Preset cell separation programs allow positive or negative selection of magnetically labeled cells using MACS columns.

Cell separation programs are chosen based on levels of antigen expression and desired levels of recovery and purity. Cells are first labeled by the user with antibodies and/or MACS magnetic microbeads and then loaded onto the autoMACS where cells are passed through one or two columns (depending on the program). Both labeled and non-labeled fractions are eluted into tubes in chilled tube racks. Wash programs are performed between separations. The unit is in a bio-safety cabinet for aseptic handling of samples.

Clients must provide sample biosafety information for every autoMACS reservation.

  • The FCF operates in Containment Level 2 (CL2) laboratories and can handle samples designated as RG1 or RG2.
  • Samples or agents designated as RG3 and RG4 are prohibited from FCF labs.
  • More information about FCF Biosafety Policies can be found in iLab.

Key features:

  • 10 standard programs
  • Program duration: 2.5-10 minutes per sample mL, 4 minutes per wash
  • Maximum number of cells: 2 x 108 labeled cells, 4 x 109 total cells per separation
  • Minimum number of cells: 1 x 105
  • Sample volume: 200 µl to 50 mL

User provides:

  • Running buffer: can be purchased from Miltenyi (PBS, 2 mM EDTA, 0.5% BSA, 0.09% NaAzide, cat#130-091-221, $330 for 6 x 1.5L) or make your own in 1L pyrex bottles
  • MACS microbeads and antibodies for labeling