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Flow cytometry
The Radboudumc Technology Center Flow Cytometry has extensive experience with flow cytometry in basic and translational research, as well as in patient diagnostics, follow-up and clinical trials. read moreFlow cytometry
Flow cytometry is a sophisticated technique that allows interrogation of few to millions of single cells or. Multiple physical characteristics of each individual cell/particle are simultaneously measured, and expression levels of antigens can be detected using fluorescently labelled antibodies. Measured characteristics include amongst others the relative size, granularity or internal complexity, and relative fluorescence intensity of the cell/particle. Our platform offers scientists advice on pre-analysis sample preparation, panel design, quality controls, instrument set-up, data acquisition and data analysis and visualization. Furthermore, we provide access to high-end flow cytometry analyzers and sorters.
Fields of research
- Immunology/Hematology
- Genetic and metabolic diseases
- Cell biology
- Molecular biology
- Microbiology
- Infectious diseases
- Gynaecology (sperm)
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry (small particles)
Services & expertise
What is flow cytometry?
Flow cytometry is a sophisticated technique of single cell analysis. read moreWhat is flow cytometry?
Flow cytometry is a sophisticated technique of single cell analysis. It simultaneously measures and analyzes multiple physical characteristics of single particles, usually cells, as they flow in a fluid stream through a beam of light. Some of the characteristics measured include a particle's relative size, granularity or internal complexity and relative fluorescence intensity.
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A flow cytometer is composed of three main systems: fluidics, optics and electronics. The fluidics transports the particles in a stream to the laser beam for interrogation. The optics consists of lasers to illuminate the particles in the sample stream and optical filters to direct the resulting light signals to the appropriate detectors. The electronics convert the detected light signals into digital signals that can be processed by the computer.
Monoclonal antibodies tagged with a fluorescent dye can be used to identify a particular cell type based on individual surface, cytoplasmic, or nuclear antigens. Different mixtures of fluorochromes can be used to distinguish sub-populations. Dyes, which bind directly to cell components such as DNA and RNA, are used as well.
The flow technology provides a powerful and sensitive tool for investigating the structure and function of cells, bacteria and other particles. These measurements can be made at flow rates of 100-20.000 cells per second. -
Cell sorting allows us to capture and collect cells of interest for further biochemical, or functional analysis. Cells can selectively be removed from a mixed population based on any number of physical characteristics, for example, size or fluorescence. A voltage charge is applied to drops containing a cell that meets the predefined sorting criteria. Positively and negatively charged plates deflect the charged drops into collection devices such as tubes or onto microscope slides depending on the charge polarity. Sorted cell preparations can be cultured as sorting can be done under sterile conditions. Additionally when sorting into microplates the system is capable to perform Index Sorting, a valuable tool to establish the correlation between phenotype and gene expressing of sorted cells.
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Some form of graphical representation is a necessary part of the analysis and interpretation of flow cytometric data. This graphical representation permits visualization of the number and inter-relationship of cell populations and is usually a series of graphs and numerical summaries of the results. There are a wide variety of sophisticated computer programs to assist in the display and analysis of flow data.
Our services
- Access to flow cytometry analyzers and a flow cytometry sorter
- Advice on multi-color experimental design and data interpretation
Our services
- Access to flow cytometry analyzers and a flow cytometry sorter
- Advice on multi-color experimental design and data interpretation
- Personal assistance for analysis available by appointment
- Extensive training on analyzers
- Training and education in flow cytometry
- High-end, supervised cell sorting
Equipment & downloads
Using our equipment
Users who have operated flow cytometry equipment will, after evidence of proficiency, be allowed to use the equipment unassisted. Individual and group training in the use of our equipment is available to allow for unassisted use in the future.-
See instructions for the use of our equipment.
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Instructions prior to access
Where
NIG Building M379 room number 4.148 (route number 475).
When
Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 to 18:00 hrs.Reservations for sorting
You can make a reservation request using your own Outlook agenda and invite the cell sorter.- In outlook select calendar (agenda) and then new (nieuw)
- Select guide card invite attendees (deelnemers uitnodigen) and send to (aan) Vz apparatuur Laboratoriumgeneeskunde LH flowcytometer Aria (VZ00329) and add this to required (vereist).
- You can make this appointment. Select scheduling (planning). The bars indicate when the cell sorter is busy. Select the time you need to sort you samples.
- Select appointment (afspraak). Mention your name and phone number under subject (onderwerp).
- Finally, press send (verzenden).
Training
Contact Head Operator Rob Woestenenk at +31 (0)24 361 52 32 for instructions. -
Access the booking system.
reserve equipment
Facility Flow cytometry equipment
Radboudumc offers access to flow cytometry analyzers and a flow cytometry sorter. read moreOur experts
