Sorters

Self-run or staff-run cell sorting.

Sorter training is available for self-use but may require several training sessions.

Available Sorters:

These machines can be booked by anyone for staff-run sorting, five days a week.

  1. Aria 594 for high-speed cell sorting (4 lasers V-B-O-R, 13 fluorescent detectors)
  2. Aria 561 for high-speed cell sorting (5 lasers UV-V-B-Y-R, 15 fluorescent detectors)
  3. Aurora Spectral Sorter (5 laser UV-V-B-Y-R, 64 total detectors - 40 color capable) and is housed in a biosafety cabinet
  4. S8 Imaging Sorter (5 laser UV-V-B-Y-R, 78 total detectors - 40 color capable) and is housed in a biosafety cabinet

  5. S6 Sorter (5 laser UV-V-B-Y-R, 28 detectors - 20+ color capable) and is housed in a biosafety cabinet

Nozzle Sizes:

Before arriving, you should determine which nozzle size is best for the cells you will be sorting. Each sorter can support a 70, 85, 100 or 130µm nozzle.

  • 70µm - Recommended for cells up to 15µm in diamter (like immune cells or isolated nuclei). This size can go much faster than any other nozzle and provides the lowest dilution factor for the sample collection.
  • 85µm - Recommended for cells 15-20µm in diameter (like Jurkat cell lines). This size provides a good mix of speed and gentleness. 
  • 100µm - Recommended for cells 20-25µm (like most cell lines) or any plate sorting. This size is very low pressure and can be used for fragile cells of all kinds.
  • 130µm - Recommended for cells 25-35µm (like microcapsules or coherent cells). This size is typically only for the biggest cells. It is very slow and somewhat unstable to sort with.

Sample Requirements:

  • Cell concentration is not to exceed 10 million cells/mL.
  • Cells are to be filtered through 40-50µm mesh, immediately prior to sorting (after final wash or staining step).
  • Cells can be brought in 5mL round bottom tubes (FACS tubes) or 15mL conical tubes (Falcon tubes).
  • Following chemical requirements:
    • Phenol red is not recommended in cell suspension media.
    • FBS concentration should not exceed 2% in sample tubes.
  • An unstained control and a single positive control for each fluorophore used is required for panels with more than a few colors. For spectral cytometry, a single stained control is required for every color regardless of panel size.

Collection Requirements:

The collection tubes can contain whatever media you prefer for your downstream experiments (cell growth media, PBS, lysis buffer, etc).

Tube Sorting: 
  • All collection tubes should be filled approximately ¼  with desired buffer.
  • The following tube size can be sorted into:
    • 1.5mL (Eppendorf tubes) or 2mL can be used for up to 4-way sorting, and on select sorters, 6-way.
    • 5mL round bottom tubes (FACS tubes) can be used for up to 4-way sorting, and on select sorters, 6-way.
    • 15mL conical tubes (Falcon tubes) can be used for up to 2-way sorting, and on select sorters, 4-way.
  • Pen-Strep is highly recommended in collection media.
Plate Sorting: 
  • Cells can be sorted directly into 6, 12, 24, 48, or 96 well plates.
  • Wells should contain desired buffer.
  • Please indicate plate type on the calendar at the time of sign up.