- Training
- Introduction to Flow Cytometry: A Learning Guide (© BD Biosciences)
- Flow Unit User's Handbook
- A CD containing overviews of Becton Dickinson FACStation and CELLQuest Pro software and Joe Trotter's WinMDI program
- A Certificate of Competance
- Tuesdays 10:00 - 12:00
- Wednesdays 09:00 - 11:00
Training on the FACSCalibur, on either an individual or group basis, is required before users can operate instruments independently.
Contact Mandi Alblas or John Michie to sign up for training. There is a R200 fee for training. The class size is limited to four students. Users will receive
Dates & Times
Refresher Training
Those who feel they need a refresher, should take the Wednesday class. Please contact Mandi Alblas or John Michie to reserve a slot in the class.
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Consultation on
FACSCalibur
- Sign up for help with first run with Mandi Alblas or John Michie
- A subdirectory will be created for temporary storage of your data on the computer
- Confirm experimental design (controls etc.) with Flow Cytometry Unit staff
- Internet book one of the FACSCaliburs
- Review CELLQuest Pro CD-ROM (acquisition & analysis movie)
- Start with ~10 samples in 0.5 - 1.0 ml volume (0.5 - 1.0 x 106 cells per ml)
- Cells must be in suspension
- Samples must be examined under a microscope prior to acquisition - remember - "garbage in, garbage out"
- Samples must be in Falcon tubes #2052
- Bring a blank CD-R or CD-RW to burn acquired data with Roxio Toast Lite software
Consultation regarding your experiment design, instrument operation and setup for acquisition, quality control and data analysis software on the FACSCalibur is available. Please internet book one of the FACSCaliburs and request an appointment with Mandi Alblas or John Michie.
Assisted/Supervised Use
Investigators can be assisted in using the instrument based on availability, and will be provided information for the preparation of samples for cytometric analysis.
Samples must be prepared in the Investigator's laboratory and must be in good condition prior to loading onto the instrument.
Specimens should be examined under a microscope (“garbage in, garbage out” is a well known dictum in flow cytometry).
Guidelines for sample preparation will be discussed prior to preparation, and well before presentation of the samples to the cytometers.
Since the Unit is minimally staffed, if it becomes necessary to fully assist the user until s/he is able to be completely independent, then the charges that will apply are those listed for "Assisted Use" in the Fees Structure.
Assay/Protocol
Development
An Investigator’s existing sample preparation may not be appropriate for flow
cytometric analysis. It will then be necessary to research the literature for a
method or to develop a novel method of preparation. In these instances, the Unit
staff will be available for collaboration with the Investigator. A Investigator
who wishes this type of collaboration must familiarize him or herself as much as
possible with preparative techniques for flow cytometric analysis prior to
meeting with the staff. Books on theoretical and practical aspects of flow
cytometry are available at various Academic Institutes' libraries in the Western
Cape. A list of them can be viewed here.
Your First Visit
