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Centre intégré universitaire de santé
et de services sociaux de l'Est-de-l'Île-de-Montréal

Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l'Est-de-l'Île-de-Montréal

Recherche

Flow cytometry

Flow cytometry is a technique allowing the analysis of the physical and functional characteristics of each cell contained in a cell suspension. Thus, it is possible to evaluate the proportions of different cell subpopulations present in a cell suspension at very high speed (several thousand cells per second). This technique allows precise and rapid measurement of parameters such as the size of the cells, their nature, their DNA content as well as the expression of surface or even intracellular molecules. These molecules are detected using fluorescent probes which are excited by lasers.

Today, the new generations of devices have up to 7 lasers which make it possible to measure more than 40 different parameters. Some devices sort cells based on these parameters and isolate them into pure cell subpopulations for further analysis or to put them in culture to study their functions.

Individual mandatory training is necessary to access our facility. The ARIA III cell sorter as well as the SONY SH800 are equipped with a negative pressure hood allowing the sorting of potentially infectious samples including human cells from healthy donors.

Equipment

Sorters

Cytek Aurora CS

The Cytek Aurora is equipped with 5 lasers which allow the detection of 40 fluorescence parameters in addition to the size parameter (FSC) on the blue laser and the structure parameter (SSC) on the blue and violet lasers. This instrument also makes it possible to extract the auto-fluorescence of the cells which makes it possible to obtain a better resolution of the signals.

  • 305 nm Ultra-Violet: 16 fluorescence detectors
  • 405 nm violet: 16 fluorescence detectors in addition to SSC-B
  • 488 nm blue: 14 fluorescence detectors in addition to SSC-A
  • 561 nm yellow-green: 10 fluorescence detectors
  • 640 nm red: 8 fluorescence detectors

We use nozzles of different sizes (70, 100 and 130 µm) and different differential pressures depending on the type of cells to be sorted. It is possible to sort 6 populations simultaneously in tubes, in addition to sorting in plates.

Cytek Aurora cell sorter configuration PDF

BD ARIA III

The BD ARIA III is equipped with 4 lasers which allow the detection of 16 fluorescence parameters in addition to the size (FSC) and structure (SSC) parameters.

  • 407 nm violet: 6 fluorescence detectors
  • 488 nm blue: 3 detectors (SSC and 2 fluorescence detectors)
  • 561 nm yellow-green: 5 fluorescence detectors
  • 633 nm red: 3 fluorescence detectors

Nozzles of different sizes (70, 85 and 100 µm) and different differential pressures are used depending on the type of cells to be sorted. It is possible to sort 4 populations simultaneously, in addition to sorting in plates.

BD ARIA III cell sorter configuration PDF

SONY SH800

The SONY cell sorter is equipped with two collinear lasers (488 nm and 561 nm) which allow the detection of 6 fluorescence parameters in addition to the size (BSC) and structure (SSC) parameters.

70 and 100 µm chips can be used and the pressure can be modified according to the type of cells to be sorted. The SONY allows the sorting of 2 populations simultaneously and the plates sorting.

SONY SH800 cell sorter configuration PDF

Analyzers

Cytek Aurora

The Cytek Aurora is equipped with 5 lasers which allow the detection of 40 fluorescence parameters in addition to the size parameters (FSC) on the blue laser and the structure parameter (SSC) on the blue and violet lasers. This instrument also makes it possible to extract the auto-fluorescence of the cells which makes it possible to obtain a better resolution of the signals.

  • 305 nm Ultra-Violet: 16 fluorescence detectors
  • 405 nm violet: 16 fluorescence detectors in addition to SSC-B
  • 488 nm blue: 14 fluorescence detectors in addition to SSC-A
  • 561 nm yellow-green: 10 fluorescence detectors
  • 640 nm red: 8 fluorescence detectors

Cytek Aurora configuration PDF

2 BDLSRFortessa X-20

The 2 BD LSRFortessa X-20 are equipped with 5 lasers which allow the detection of 16 fluorescence parameters in addition to the size (FSC) and structure (SSC) parameters. One of them is equipped with an HTS plate reader.

  • 355 nm Ultra-Violet: 3 fluorescence detectors
  • 405 nm violet: 6 fluorescence detectors
  • 488 nm blue: 3 detectors (SSC and 2 fluorescence detectors)
  • 561 nm yellow-green: 4 fluorescence detectors
  • 633 nm red: 3 fluorescence detectors

Configuration of the 2 BD LSRFortessa X-20 PDF

BD FACSCelesta

The BD FACSCelesta is equipped with 3 lasers that allow the detection of 12 fluorescence parameters in addition to the size (FSC) and structure (SSC) parameters.

  • 405 nm violet: 5 fluorescence detectors
  • 488 nm blue: 5 detectors (SSC and 4 fluorescence detectors)
  • 633 nm red: 3 fluorescence detectors

It is also possible to change filters and mirrors on this instrument, in order to detect different combinations of fluorochromes.

Configuration options of the BD FACSCelesta PDF

BD LSRII

The BD LSR II is equipped with 4 lasers which allow the detection of 10 fluorescence parameters in addition to the size (FSC) and structure (SSC) parameters.

  • 355 nm Ultra-Violet: 2 fluorescence detectors
  • 407 nm violet: 2 fluorescence detectors
  • 488 nm blue: 5 detectors (SSC and 4 fluorescence detectors)
  • 633 nm red: 2 fluorescence detectors

It is also possible to change filters and mirrors on this instrument, in order to detect different combinations of fluorochromes.

Configuration options of the BD LSRII PDF

BD FACSCanto

The CANTO A is equipped with 2 lasers which allow the detection of 6 fluorescence parameters in addition to the size (FSC) and structure (SSC) parameters.

  • 488 nm: 5 detectors (SSC and 4 fluorescence detectors)
  • 633 nm: 2 fluorescence detectors

Configuration BD FACSCanto PDF

Coordinators

Frédéric Duval, PhD
Anne-Marie Aubin, M.Sc.
514-252-3400 poste 3521