CytoFLEX SRT Cell Sorter: A Shared Resource Lab Perspective

The LUMC Flow Cytometry Core Facility is a Shared Resource Lab (SRL) that currently houses 24 instruments, including 9 conventional flow cytometers, 7 spectral flow cytometers, 3 mass cytometers and 5 cell sorters. The SRL provides equipment for biohazardous material up to Biosafety level (BSL) 3 as well as equipment used for diagnostic purposes (ISO15189). The facility is used by approximately 500 individuals, who book approximately 20,000 h of instrument time each year.

Previously, cell sorting experiments in the facility were only performed by SRL staff upon request by a user. However, with an increasing demand for cell sorting experiments and requests for sorts outside of office hours, we needed an instrument that allowed our users to sort without operator assistance.

In 2020 we tested several cell sorters as part of an open tender procedure. The testing protocol included instrument performance, but also ease-of-use, automation and user-friendliness of the software and was performed by SRL staff as well as users with different levels of experience. After these tests, the contract was awarded to Beckman Coulter to provide two CytoFLEX SRT sell sorters; one in a BSL-1 lab and another in a BSL-2 lab.

 

To date, we have trained 146 users to independently use the instruments and they are used almost on a daily basis. During this webinar I will share how the CytoFLEX SRTs are used in our facility and the lessons we have learned on user training and instrument use in the last years since acquiring our 2 CytoFLEX SRTs cell sorters.