fLOW CYTOMETRY

FACILITY

Flow cytometry is now commonly used in both research and clinical laboratories to identify and quantify particles, usually cells, based on their physical or molecular characteristics and/or expression of specific proteins.

Equipment

Assays that can be performed by flow cytometry include measurement of calcium flux, apoptosis, changes in protein expression in the cell membrane or cytoplasm and assessment of DNA quantity and integrity for determining cell cycle distribution.

Flow cytometry also provides a means of detecting viruses, bacteria and plankton in water samples.

The Flow Cytometers in the Flinders University facility are equipped to:

Identify and characterise a wide range of cell types
Sort and purify cell fractions
Assess cell functions
Measure mitochondrial membrane potential
Analyse DNA
Measure cell death (apoptotic and necrotic)
Analyse small particles, e.g. exosomes and micro-plastics.

The fee-for-service facility is based at the Health and Medical Research Building (HMRB). We offer training, access to instruments and advice on panel or experimental design to staff and students from within Flinders University, other universities, institutes or external businesses.

Our equipment

CytoFlex-S

4 laser, 13 colour instrument. Violet side-scatter detection for small particles. User friendly operation. Free to download analysis software.

FACS Aria III Fusion

14 colour instrument. Capacity to perform sterile sorting. Housed in PC2 accredited facility. 1-4 populations can be sorted simultaneously into tubes/plates.

Image Stream-X

A state-of-the-art instrument, which combines the power of microscopy with flow cytometry. This instrument makes it possible to perform a rapid and highly detailed examination of a large number of cells in each sample.

Bioplex 200

The Bio-Plex suspension array system offers protein and nucleic acid researchers a flexible and reliable multiplex assay solution that permits analysis of up to 100 biomolecules in a single sample. The system includes an automated plate washing station.

CytoFlex SRT

4 laser, 15 colour instrument with capacity for sterile sorting.