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).
Our Impact
We’re raising thousands to save millions.
We’re turning hope into action for the millions of people around the world affected by diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s. Find out how you can help us make a difference.
- 122 peer-reviewed papers published in 2024, 63 of which were in high-impact journals
- 15 VAI-SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team clinical trials launched to date
- 10 clinical trials co-funded by VAI & Cure Parkinson's (out of 41 total International Linked Clinical Trials Program trials)
