Flow Cytometry Shared Resource

University Of California At Davis, Davis CA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

FLOW CYTOMETRY SHARED RESOURCE (FCSR) PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Flow Cytometry Shared Resource (FCSR) provides state-of-the-art cell sorting and analytical cytometry, as well as cytometry education, to the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCDCCC) community. The FCSR is the only openly available flow cytometry core laboratory at UCD staffed by cytometry experts who are readily available to assist users with experiment planning, instrumentation training, operator-assisted cell sorting, data analysis, troubleshooting, manuscript preparation and review, and advanced data analysis, using the advanced principal component analysis tools in the popular FlowJo flow cytometry analysis software package. FCSR has facilities at three sites, one at the UC Davis Health campus in Sacramento, and two on the Davis campus, offering a wide variety of cytometry equipment. The Sacramento facility houses the BD Fortessa, BD FACS Canto I, and Stratedigm S1000EX analytic cytometers, and the BD inFlux and Aria II cell sorters. The Davis facilities house a new Cytek Aurora spectral cell analyzer, Becton Dickinson LSR-II, FACScan, and Beckman Coulter Cytoflex cell analyzers, and Astrios and 6-color BD FACSCanto II cell sorters, and a Fluidigm BioMark system for gene expression analysis in single cells. The FCSR supports a wide range of basic research projects at UCDCCC aimed at elucidating mechanisms in cancer etiology, metastasis, progression, and treatment. Oversight and management of the BRSR is provided by the Director, Barbara L. Shacklett, PhD an immunologist and virologist with over 20 years of experience using flow cytometry approaches in her research; and the technical director, Bridget McLaughlin, MS, a recognized campus leader in with 20 years of experience in cytometry techniques, instrumentation and education and particular expertise in multicolor flow cytometry and analysis. FCSR personnel regularly consult with UCDCCC members to help develop new approaches for cellular analysis and sorting. The FCSR offers an annual comprehensive course in Flow Cytometry that includes flow cytometry fundamentals, advanced topics, and hands on training. The UCDCCC leadership sponsors scholarships for students conducting cancer-related research. The Specific Aims for the FCSR are to: 1) Provide state-of-the-art cell sorting and analytical cytometry. 2) Advise users about appropriate experimental design and data analysis. 3) Educate users about routine as well as cutting- edge cytometry applications. 4) Facilitate interactions among researchers using these techniques. 5) Stimulate development of new approaches for cancer research.