Flow Cytometry Shared Resource

Overview

Leadership:

Michael Cook, PhD
919-613-7818
cook0016@mc.duke.edu

The Flow Cytometry Shared Resource [FCSR] operates, maintains, and upgrades instrumentation for flow cytometic analysis and cell sorting. Investigators prepare cells and bring them to the FCSR for analysis or cell sorting. A fee is required for these services. The FCSR operates two analyzers and four cell sorters, the only ones on campus that are available at all times to all Cancer Center members. The cell sorters are multiple laser instruments that provide state of the art multiparameter cell sorting of up to 12 simultaneous fluorochromes. One cell sorter and one analyzer are available to customers for self use after a brief in-house training session. In addition to cell sorting, acquiring, analyzing, archiving, and preparing flow data for publication, the FSCR provides consultation, technical advice, collaboration, and maintains a library to disseminate technical information to potential users. The FCSR staff has experience in most all areas of flow cytometric analysis and cell sorting applications and has helped investigators develop a variety of new applications. Staff members recommend assays, help to develop and troubleshoot new protocols, participate actively in the data analysis, and, in general, work closely with investigators to fine tune their individual experiments. An important part of the mission of the FCSR is the education of customers to insure that all users get the maximum gain from the art technical resources available. Another important function is to help investigators evaluate existing cell separation technologies before choosing flow cytometry.