We would appreciate it if the Cytometry Core Facility is mentioned in the acknowledgement section of any publication which includes results of data produced from the facility, and that an electronic copy of the paper be provided to the facility. This will help us justify upgrading services and equipment on grant applications.

Please cite the facility as: "UACC/ARL Cytometry Core Facility" and include the Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG - CA 023074)

Methods Section of the Paper

Please use the links below to create the configuration specific to your application. Following is an example of a typical description. Please contact the lab personnel if you wish assistance with the wording:

Two-color flow cytometric analysis was performed using a FACScan flow cytometer (BDBiosciences, San Jose, CA) equipped with an air-cooled 15mW argon ion laser tuned to 488nm. The emission fluorescence of (yada, yada conjugated to IgG...blah blah...) was detected and recorded through a 530/30 bandpass filter in the FL1 channel. (Something red) was detected in the FL2 channel through a 585/42 bandpass filter. List mode data files consisting of 10,000 events gated on FSC (forward scatter) vs SSC (side scatter) were acquired and analyzed using CellQuest PRO software (BDBiosciences, San Jose, CA) at a rate of 200-400 events per second. Appropriate electronic compensation was adjusted by acquiring the cell populations stained with each dye/fluorophore individually, as well as an unstained control.

We provide personalized services. A consultation is required before the first scheduled session to discuss controls needed and to expedite any special requests. This can easily be accomplished by contacting the Facility Manager.

An account or grant number must be included with each sample run. Charges are based on 15 minute increments for analysis or sorting. It is the responsibility of each user to keep his/her User Profile updated regarding account information, phone number, and email address.

Because of the complexity of the FACSAria, there is a one-hour setup charge for each sorting session.

If you are not affiliated with the Arizona Universities, please contact the Cytometry Core Facility for an initial consultation and service quotes.

See Rates

The FACSAria has a jet-in-air fluidics system, which potentially produces aerosols, especially when sorting. These aerosols may contain infectious agents, such as hepatitis or HIV, when sourced from live human tissue. In addition, sorting known infectious agents such as bacteria or cells transfected or transformed with infectious agents also pose a risk from aerosol exposure. Since this aerosol is under pressure, potential for infectivity is theoretically much higher than incidental exposure during analysis.

The addition of a Baker BioProtect III biosafety cabinet, in which the FACSAria is now housed, allows for sorting of certain live human tissue and BSL2 agents. Approval for BSL2 sorting must be obtained through the Core Facility Manager.

Turn-around time is dependent on the length of the appointment. In general, samples are processed and data is received by the user at the end of their appointment time.

Samples for the FACScanto II and the LSR II must be provided in 12x75mm polystyrene BD brand Falcon tubes. The only tubes compatible with these analyzers are:

• Cat. # 35-2052 - sterile, no cap, 125/bag
• Cat. # 35-2054 - sterile, with cap, 125/bag
• Cat. # 35-2058 - sterile, with cap, 25/bag
• Cat. # 35-2008 - nonsterile, no cap, 1000 bulk
• Cat. # 35-2235 - sterile, with cell strainer, 25/bag

Samples for the FACSAria may be provided in 12x75mm polystyrene tubes or 15ml conical tubes.

The recommended sample concentration for the FACScanto II and the LSR II is 1x10⁶ cells per ml in PBS (no Mg⁺⁺, Ca⁺⁺ or serum) or fixative.

1-3% paraformaldehyde is the recommended fixative for most cell types.

The recommended sample concentration for the FACSAria is 3x10⁶-5x10⁶ cells per ml in PBS (no Mg⁺⁺, Ca⁺⁺ or serum) or fixative.

Pathogenic samples or live samples derived from human sources must be approved by the Facility Manager. When bringing samples for multi-parameter analysis, single positive controls must be provided for each color user.

Cell suspensions are typically prepared in the investigator's laboratory and brought to the Cytometry Core Facility ready to be run. There is a wet lab available in the facility with limited equipment for use in the preparation of samples, if needed.

Approval must be obtained from the Facility Manager for cell analysis or sorting. After an initial consultation, the user may gain access to the FACScanto II through the online scheduler. Requests for use of all other cytometers must be made by contacting the Facility Manager. Please be aware that occasionally the sorter is booked more than one month in advance.

We are able to assist with a number of cryo-preservation techniques suitable for uses such as CyTOF, flow cytometry and functional assays.

We can assist with customized or standard Cytek panels.