What is Flow Cytometry?
Flow Cytometry is a highly specialized methodology for analyzing cellular charecteristics in a single-plex or high-throughput manner. Both endogeneous flourescence or immunostained cells can be detected via Flow Cytometry.
Can I sort my cells and analyze the sample at the same time?
Yes! A sorter such as the BD FACS Aria Fusion at our core facility will analyze and analyze your sample at the same time. All sorters will analyze a target gate for population to sort and give you back analyzed data across all gates and samples.
What instruments are available in the core facility lab?
Please check our core instrumentation page. Additionally you can also reach out to the Core Director.
What are the rates for various instruments at the core?
We release updated rates every fiscal year. These can be found on the instrumentation page and also is provided by the core director to all current users.
How can I get trained on the various instruments on offer?
Please email Core Director (Arit Ghosh) at – aghos@udel.edu for setting up training on our sorters and analyzers.
How can I design a multicolor panel for cytometric analyses?
Please look for “User Panel Design Chart-Fill This Up” via “Core-Instrumentation” tab. Please setup a meeting with the Core Director to design your panel and instrument preferences.
I am having issues with an instrument as a trained user, how can I get some help?
Please PM the core director directly on MS Teams. The QR code for MS Teams can be found on the main homepage. Additionally we have SOPs for each instrument on offer for trained use. If the staff is out of office please contact Deborah Powell or Jeffery Caplan at Bioimaging Center.
Can you run small particle analyses on any of the cytometers?
Yes the CytoFLEX LX is great for analyses of small particles and EVs down to 80 nm. We have an SOP for the same.
Can you sort small particles?
Unfortunately with our current instrumentation we cannot sort out small partcles and EVs. However, we are able to develop an SOP to sort out biotinylated particles of >250 nm on Aria Fusion.
For the Single Cell Core, and scRNAseq applications how is the core involved in this process?
The core facility expanded its capabilities into single-cell RNAseq applications in January 2024 in active collaboration with the UD Sequencing and Genotyping Center (Genomics Core). With a central expertise in immunology and cell biology, the core is well poised to assist clients in experimental design and directly collaborates with the Genomics Core for single-cell RNAseq applications. The Core does single cell capture via various techniques (see Core Instrumentation) and followed by hand-off to Genomics (post first strand synthesis).
I have no clue about single-cell RNA sequencing. But I do know this can be impactful to my research project and manuscript.
We are more than happy to collaborate, discuss your project in depth. Once we understand your science better we will recommend the best option for scRNAseq at our core/s and also meet directly with the concerned vendor to develop your protocol and your path towards publication.
Are you able to run bioinformatics analyses for scRNAseq?
Although we do not directly support bioinformatics analyses for scRNAseq, we can direct you to GUI-based softwares for doing your preliminary analyses. Please get in touch with CBCB, Bioinformatics Core – https://bioinformatics.udel.edu/core/bioinformatics-experts/ – for extensive scRNAseq analyses support.
What about Flow Cytometric data analyses?
Yes! We do offer flow data analyses (supervised/trained or unsupervised) on FlowJo and FCS Express 7 via our data analyses workstations. Remote connection is also an option via Jump Desktop.
Can undergraduate and graduate students intern in the core lab?
Yes. The Core Director is able to offer research projects for students. Please get in touch for details.
