Flow Cytometry Shared Resource (FCSR)

University Of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

FLOW CYTOMETRY SHARED RESOURCE (FCSR) ABSTRACT The UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) Flow Cytometry Shared Resource (FCSR) provides continuously updated, state-of-the-art instrumentation, expertise, and training at a subsidized recharge rate to JCCC investigators whose research requires flow cytometry, mass cytometry, imaging cytometry, and/or cell sorting. FCSR is one of the longest running core facilities at UCLA and it has been servicing the needs of the JCCC cancer research community since its inception in 1988. In 2015, Zoran Galic, PhD (TII) became the FCSR Director and is responsible for and oversees the strategic direction and operations of the facility. FCSR currently houses 12 instruments that include a Helios mass cytometer, an ImageStream imaging cytometer, two Attune NxT flow cytometers, an LSR Fortessa cell analyzer, four Aria high-speed cell sorters, three of which are enclosed in biocontainment hoods, a Sony SH800 and On-chip Sort chip-based sorters, and a RoboSep magnetic cell separator. To streamline Helios research operations, FCSR maintains a repository of >600 mainly custom conjugated metal tagged antibodies and has introduced new services such as cell staining for mass cytometry and large data set analysis. FCSR also established a separate office for data analysis with two high-end computer workstations capable of processing large data sets generated by the ImageStream imaging cytometer and Helios mass cytometer. FCSR personnel have >70 years of combined flow cytometry experience and provide high-quality services and expert guidance to JCCC investigators through one-on-one consultations, educational classes, an information-rich website, and “how-to” poster presentations. Workshops, seminars, and tutorials organized by FCSR ensure that researchers remain knowledgeable at the leading edge of cytometry. From 2019 – 2023, FCSR supported 107 JCCC investigators from all six Research Programs, with 86% of JCCC member users holding peer-review funding. JCCC member usage accounts for 64% of the total FCSR usage. FCSR support contributed to 243 cancer-relevant publications, of which 52% were in high impact (IF ≥10) journals. FCSR supported research resulted in 51 funded extramural cancer-relevant grants totaling over $121M. FCSR leaders work with JCCC Senior Leaders, the Dean’s Office in the David Geffen School of Medicine, and additional centers and institutes on the UCLA campus to contain costs and provide high quality services for JCCC investigator studies. For example, during the current period FCSR acquired five new instruments costing a total of $1.6M and doubled the number of services available to support the JCCC cancer research community.