Updates

Research Flow Cytometry Core Laboratory

<p>Flow Cytometry Core Laboratory</p>

The Flow Cytometry Core Facility in the Feigin Tower harbors several instruments essential to assist faculty and staff in meeting their basic, translational, and clinical research needs.

The core also provides operator assisted services as well as onsite training to equip the users in operating the instruments independently.

The primary goal of the core is to provide scientific and technical expertise in developing, optimizing and troubleshooting of complex flow cytometric assays for the diverse biomedical research projects at Texas Children's, Baylor College of Medicine and affiliated Institutions.

Our Services

  • Operator assisted service on flow cytometry analyzers, cell sorting, and Helios CyTOF instrument
  • Flow cytometry data analysis
  • Panel design for complex assays
  • Training on various flow cytometry instruments
  • Third party platforms for complex data analysis (BD DIVA, Cytobank)

  • Antibody conjugation to metals for Helios CyTOF 

    Note: For clinical flow cytometry services, please call 832 824 5142
     

We provide access to the following analytical instruments

Helios CyTOF Mass Cytometer

  • 135 detection channels (75-209 Dalton atomic analytical mass range), analyzing >40 metal tagged antibodies
  • Advantages over traditional flow cytometry: minimal background, minimal overlap between channels
  • Ideal for complex immune profiling

BD FACSymphony A5

(Special Order Research Project)

  • Five laser instrument (including UV laser)
  • Capable of analyzing up to 30 parameters

BD FACSymphony A1

  • Four laser instrument
  • Capable of analyzing up to 18 parameters
  • High Throughput System for cell analysis from 96 well plates

Millipore Guava Cytometer

  • Two laser instrument
  • Capable of analyzing up to six parameters
  • Uses micro capillary technology allowing low sample volumes for very basic flow cytometry needs (viability and apoptosis assays)
  • Capable of measuring cell counts without beads

BD Aria Fusion Sorter 

(Special Order System)

  • Five laser instrument (including UV laser)
  • Capable of analyzing up to 21 parameters
  • Performs four-way sort into 1.5mL, 5mL tubes, and two-way sort into 15mL tubes
  • Capable of sorting in tissue culture plates (including single-cell sort into 96 well plates)

Sony SH800 Sorter

  • Four laser instrument
  • Capable of analyzing up to eight parameters
  • Provides highest level of automation with streamlined workflow
  • Performs two-way sort
  • Capable of sorting in tissue culture plates (including single-cell and index sorting)

Sysmex XP300 Hematology Analyzer

  • Compact three-part hematology differential analyzer
  • Uses small volume (50uL) and non-toxic biodegradable reagents
  • Reliably provides 17 parameter read out of Complete Blood Count (CBC) with WBC/RBC/PLT histograms and Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
  • Easy of use touch screen interface, and barcode reader for streamlined data management

Our Team

Scheduling

All instruments are listed in iLab (Agilent platform) under “TCH Flow Cytometer Core Lab.” Each investigator will have an individual iLab account managed by Baylor College of Medicine.

Internal BCM users:  
• Register at https://bcm.ilab.agilent.com/account/login.  
• Click Register (top right) and select Register using BCM credentials.

External users:  
• Register at https://bcm.ilab.agilent.com/account/43/signup.  
• Payment can be made by invoice (issued by Flow personnel) or credit card.

Instrument Access 
• Analyzers: Trained users reserve instruments through iLab. For assisted use, reservations require approval by Flow staff; confirmation is sent via email once approved 
• Sorters:  
  ◦ BD Aria Fusion: Operator-assisted sorting only 
  ◦ Sony SH800: Training available for unassisted use 
• Helios CyTOF: Operator-assisted only

Pricing

Helios CyTOF- $75/hour 

Sorting - $75/hour 

Assisted Use - $70-$80/hour (based on instrument in use) 

Unassisted Use (trained users) - $30-40/hour (based on instrument in use) 

Contact Us

Phone: 832-824-4731 
Email: axgaikwa@texaschildrens.org
Address: 1102 Bates St., Feigin Tower, Ste. 1130, Houston, TX 77030  
Fax: 832-825-0011

Related Departments