Robust, user-friendly and state-of-the-art fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) which allows isolation of individual cells and pathogens from complex cell mixtures derived e.g. from body fluids and tissues based on different cell characteristics (size, granularity and fluorescence). Isolated cells can be characterized in molecular detail, either directly or upon further cultivation. As such, FACS represents an essential tool in a plethora of life science research domains. Since FACS involves live cells and pathogens, it requires on-site access by users to avoid transport-associated impaired cell viability or biosafety risks. The FACS is easy-to-use decreasing the threshold for inexperienced research groups to implement FACS technology in their research lines. Furthermore, the equipment is state-of-the-art with regard to the applications needed, e.g. plate sorting for possible single cell omics, temperature-controlled sample loader and sort collection recipients, covering at least >95% of the types of sorting procedures at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The cell sorter is housed at the campus of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in a room dedicated to cell sorting within a BSL2 laboratory. This room is equipped with climate control and access to external air pressure to meet the needs to operate a cell sorter, e.g. a stable temperature to avoid excessive heat, which might disturb the sorting process, and noise reduction, respectively. This equipment is of invaluable use for veterinary research at Ghent University, exemplified by a variety of projects the equipment is involved in.
Type: Equipment
Location type: Single sited
Accessibility: Not accessible
User modalities: <p> The cell sorter is housed at the campus of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in a room dedicated to cell sorting within a BSL2 laboratory of the spokesperson. This room is equipped with climate control and access to external air pressure to meet the needs to operate a cell sorter, e.g. a stable temperature to avoid excessive heat, which might disturb the sorting process, and noise reduction, respectively. <br> <br>Trained personnel with extensive experience in cell sorting and operating and maintaining this equipment are available at the Laboratory of Immunology. They stand in for maintenance, quality control, basic training of new users and follow up of biosafety issues and other legislation. <br> <br>Researchers who want to make use of the equipment can send a request by E-mail to prof Devriendt. He is responsible for the equipment and training of persons. If only few sorts are planned, they will be performed under his guidance. If the researchers plan to regularly sort cells, he/she will receive a training and will obtain access to a dedicated online calender which allows the researcher to reserve time slots on the cell sorter. Usage costs will consist of consumable use. In case of costs that are in surplus, these will be divided among the users according to their usage time and the number of times they used the cell sorter. This can be deduced from the reservations in the calendar. This usage plan has been agreed among the supervisor and these co-supervisors which most frequent use the equipment. <br> <br>Recently, Ghent University stimulated the formation of Core Facilities and launched Core Facility Management Software. We already stepped in the Flow Cytometry Core Facility of the university and implemented the Core Facility Management Software for the faculty flow cytometer. In the near future, we foresee to do same for the cell sorter. </p>
In use: 1 Mar 2021 → Today
Disciplines: Animal immunology, Medical molecular engineering of nucleic acids and proteins, Molecular and cell biology not elsewhere classified
Keywords: Fuorescence-activated cell sorting, Fluorescence-activated cell sorting
