Services

Instrumentation Support

Daily Setup
All instruments are cleaned, optically aligned and quality control tested daily to ensure the highest level of reproducibility of data.

The sorters are run using DPBS manufactured by Meditech that is certified sterile and microplasma tested. The sorters fluidic systems are cleaned and sterilized with EtOH and an antiseptic detergent each morning. The instrument is bleached before each sort to maintain aseptic conditions and eliminate crossover contamination between samples.

Assistance with Cell Sorting and Analysis
Facility staff is available to assist investigators with the setup and running of samples for sorting and analysis.

Investigators are encouraged to learn how to setup and run their experiments to enable independent usage of the facility allowing for the flexibility to schedule time for analysis during the evenings and weekends and after hours sorts during the week. Users need to be trained on the proper shutdown procedures prior to gaining after hours privileges; training is available by contacting Michele or David.

Data Support

Analysis and Interpretation
Staff is available to assist with the retrieval and analysis of data. There are several software packages available to analyze list mode data, including Cell Quest and FlowJo. Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint are on each of the Macintosh workstations. The staff can help with use of the programs and interpretation of results.

Troubleshooting
Help is available to troubleshoot data and experiments. The staff can assist with fluorochrome selection, sample preparation protocols, setup and proper instrumentation selection for a desired experiment.

Data Archival
All data collected for flow cytometry is in listmode format. The facility adheres to a file saving structure based on the investigators e-mail/ logon ID. Each user should obtain a logon ID (usually their e-mail name) from the facility and select their own password to gain access to the instruments. Data collected on the cytometers is transferred to the server upon logging out of the instrument for all of the Mac based systems and is immediately available over the server using UserID and password. The Diva based cytometers can be accessed after logout using the data analysis computers in the computer lab day of, then subsequently from the server under the UserID tne next day.

Data is backed up each night to RAID server. Investigators can access data back to 2006 by going to their account. Older data can be retrieved by contacting the facility staff. It is strongly encouraged for investigators to make their own backup of data for future use and further protection of their research.

updated 5-18-07