Flow Cytometry Core Facility

The Flow Cytometry Core Facility at the National Eye Institute provides flow cytometry analytical and sorting equipment and services to the NEI Intramural community. Flow cytometry is a technique for counting and examining microscopic particles, such as cells and beads, by suspending them in a stream of fluid and passing them by a detection apparatus. The Core utilizes state-of-the-art sample preparation, data acquisition and analysis, and sorting procedures in providing service and supporting collaborative research projects. The Core provides training to students, fellows, and principal investigators at NEI in the theory and practical use of the technology. The training includes sample preparation, staining, and handling post sort.

Equipment:

• 2 Becton-Dickinson FACS Calibur analyzers.
• 1 Becton-Dickinson FACS Aria II high-speed sorter.
• 1 Luminex 200 System with a Magnetic Washer

Services

The facility offers comprehensive analytical and sorting services. Techniques used in the core include:

• Apoptosis
• Cell Proliferation and Tracking
• High Parameter Immunophenotyping
• Molecular analysis via Luminex
• Sorting for sterile culturing or DNA, RNA and Protein Analysis
• Retinal Cell Analysis and Sorting
• Viability

We also have FlowJo and GemStone Software available for analysis.

The facility also offers training in:

• Advanced Experiments in Flow Cytometry
• Analysis of Flow Cytometry Data
• Basic theory of Flow Cytometry
• FACSCalibur Operation

Staff

Last Reviewed: March 2011