Flow Cytometry Core

Overview

Flow cytometry is a powerful method for rapidly characterizing the phenotypes and functions of single cells in suspension. It also can be used to purify target populations for downstream studies.

Thanks to a major revitalization that started in 2017, the Flow Cytometry Core is housed in a purpose-built space with increased instrumentation and staffing to support research at VAI and collaborating institutions.

The Core provides high-quality, comprehensive cytometry services and expertise to scientists and the Institute and beyond. Our team has more than 20 years of combined research, clinical laboratory, and flow cytometry experience and have been internationally recognized in the field. We are here to help you with your experiments from inception and design through analysis and presentation.

Please contact Core Director Dr. Rachael Sheridan to discuss how we can help you succeed!

Flow Core Instrumentation

Cell Counting – Luna FX 7
Flow Cytometric Analysis – Cytek Aurora and Beckman Coulter 4-laser CytoFLEX S
Flow Cytometric Sorting – BD FACSSymphony and SONY MA900
CBC and Blood Chemistry – Abaxis HM5 and Abaxis VS2
Sample Dissociation – Miltenyi GentleMACS Octo with heaters and coolers

Flow Core Services

Experimental Design Consultation
Panel Design
Sample Staining (based on staff availability)
Sample Acquisition
Cell Sorting
Data Analysis
Figure preparation
Grant and Manuscript Review

Example Assays

Immunophenotyping
Viability/Apoptosis
Calcium Flux
Cell Cycle (single and multiparameter)
Single Cell Sorting
Fluorescent Protein Expression/CRISPR

How to Request Services

VAI’s Core Technologies and Services manages service requests through CrossLab Solutions. Each Core maintains a CrossLab page that provides descriptions of the Core as well as options to schedule equipment and request services. Pricing also is available in CrossLab (See Schedule Equipment and/or Request Services). Current CrossLab users can login.

Acknowledgments and Authorship

All work performed by VAI’s Core Technologies and Services should be acknowledged or considered for co-authorship in scholarly reports, presentations, posters, papers and all other publications. Proper acknowledgment allows us to obtain financial and other support that enables us to provide and maintain high-quality support and services. By acknowledging shared resource facilities and instrumentation in publications, presentations and other research communications, you play a critical role in ensuring their continued availability and future development.

Example acknowledgments:

We thank the Van Andel Institute Flow Cytometry Core (RRID:SCR_022685), especially [staff name], for their assistance with [technique/technology].
This research was supported in part by the Van Andel Institute Flow Cytometry Core (Grand Rapids, MI) (RRID:SCR_022685).

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Instrumentation

Slide-based imaging cell counter

Brightfield, trypan blue, and AO/PI compatible

Learn More ➔

Five-laser, spectral analyzer (16 violet, 14 blue, 10 yellow-green, 8 red)

Can accept samples in tubes or plates
Immunophenotyping surface and intracellular antigens
Viability
Apoptosis
Transfection efficiency analysis
Cell cycle
Mitochondrial function

Learn More ➔

Four-laser, 13 color instrument (4-violet, 2 blue, 4 yellow green, 3 red)

Can accept samples in tubes or plates
Immunophenotyping surface and intracellular antigens
Viability
Apoptosis
Transfection efficiency analysis
Cell cycle
Mitochondrial function

Learn More ➔

A five-laser, 27 color cell sorter in a biosafety cabinet

Up to six-way tube sorting
96-well and 384-well plate sorting
Single cell and bulk sorting modes
Side populations
Immunophenotyping surface and intracellular antigens
Viability
Apoptosis
Cell cycle
Transfection efficiency analysis
Staff run

Learn More ➔

A four-laser, 12 color cell sorter in a biosafety cabinet

Up to four-way tube sorting
96-well plate sorting
Immunophenotyping surface and intracellular antigens
Single cell and bulk sorting modes
Viability
Apoptosis
Cell cycle
Transfection efficiency analysis
Staff run

Learn More ➔

CBC with five-part differential

22 parameters
Direct eosinophil counts

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Rotor-based chemistry analyzer

Variety of test menus available

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Flow Core Services

Experimental Design Consultation
Panel Design
Sample Staining (based on staff availability)
Sample Acquisition
Cell Sorting
Data Analysis
Figure Preparation
Grant and Manuscript Review

Data analysis: self- or staff-run analysis available

Cytexpert
FlowJo v10
ModFit
Available 24/7 to trained users

Policies & Procedures

All work in the Flow Cytometry Core must be preceded by a consultation with Core Manager Dr. Rachael Sheridan to discuss experimental design, controls, and biosafety.
Create a CrossLab account. VAI staff that need a login (or further CrossLab support) should contact Lori Moon.

The Flow Cytometry suite is BSL2.
No food/drink or containers intended for food/drink in the future are allowed in the space.
All people in the space must wear long pants (or clothing that covers the legs) and close-toed shoes. Lab coats and safety glasses are recommended.
Use best practices and universal precautions when handling samples.
Clean up after yourself and clean up spills in a proper and timely manner. Ask the staff for help if you need it.

Flow Cytometry Core staff is available from approximately 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Monday–Friday. If you need access to staff outside of these hours, please make arrangements well in advance. Requests will be accommodated at staff discretion.
The Core will be closed on Institute-recognized holidays. Users trained for weekend access may still run analytical equipment.
The CytoFLEX S, Aurora, Luna and VetScan equipment are available 24/7 to well-trained users.
Researchers are encouraged to seek training to run these machines independently. Training must be performed by Core staff. Trained users may not train others on the instrumentation and have it count as training.

Consultation with Core staff is required before booking your first sort or analysis run. Consultations may be arranged by emailing [email protected].
Appointments are booked on a first-come, first-served basis through the CrossLab system. Core staff reserve the right to make small alterations in the schedule to accommodate as many researchers as possible on high-use instrumentation. You will be notified if any changes need to be made to your appointment.
Do not share accounts. The name of the person booking the appointment must match the identity of the user at the instrument. Violators may have their accounts deactivated.
Billing time begins at the beginning of your scheduled appointment or when you log in to the cytometer, whichever is earlier.
Billing time ends at the end of your scheduled appointment or when you log out of the cytometer, whichever is later.
If you are more than 15 minutes late for your appointment without notifying Core staff of your updated timeline, you may forfeit your appointment at staff discretion and will be allowed to run later only if schedules allow.
Cancellations with less than 24-hour notice will be billed in their entirety unless the time is rebooked by another user. Exceptions for unforeseeable circumstances may be granted at the staff’s discretion. Cancellations may be made through the CrossLab website (more than 24 hours in advance) or by contacting Core staff by email.

Users are responsible for annotating, transferring, and maintaining data generated in the Flow Cytometry Core.
Annotate your data at the instrument as much as possible.
The Core will maintain data on the instrument computers for one month after which it will be deleted. Templates will remain available indefinitely.