NMIMR Flow Cytometry Core Facility
About
The mission of the flow cytometry core facility at NMIMR is to provide comprehensive support in flow cytometric analysis and cell sorting. The facility seeks to advance the use of flow cytometry for cutting-edge research, to study cells in greater detail and with speed. The facility provides both theoretical and practical training, consultation on panel and experimental design, data acquisition and analysis.
Instrumentation
BD FACSDiscover™ S8 Cell Sorter with BD CellView™ Image Technology and BD SpectralFX™ Technology
The BD FACSDiscover™ S8 Cell Sorter is a high-end cytometer that combines spectral flow cytometry, cell sorting technology with real-time spatial and morphological imaging. The cytometer is equipped with 6 lasers (Ultraviolet [349 nm], Violet [405 nm], Blue [488 nm], Yellow/ Green [561 nm], Red [640 nm]) and 78 optical detectors comprising the full spectrum. This leading-edge technology, the first in Africa, is poised to transform the way the biomedical community approaches cell analysis and sorting, offering unprecedented capabilities for research, diagnostics, and innovation. Services are available to researchers, clinicians, students, industry professionals and other interested parties.
BD FACSCanto
BD Accuri C6 Plus
Key Features
The BD FACSDiscover™ S8 Cell Sorter is equipped with BD CellView™ Image Technology and BD SpectralFX™ Technology. This powerful combination allows for:
- Advanced Cell Population Analysis: The system’s 78 fluorescent detectors across five (5) lasers with algorithmically optimized bandpass filters enhance fluorochrome resolution and reduce time to insight. Such multidimensional analysis is riveting for immunophenotyping. It enables the identification and isolation of cell types that were previously difficult to distinguish from one another. In clinical practice, this unit is essential for diagnosis of diseases such as cancer and some autoimmune conditions.
- Realtime Cell Imaging: Zooming in from cell populations to a single cell, the BD CellView™ Image Technology provides real-time spatial and morphological insights to specific cells and particles. It has three (3) imaging-enabled blue laser detectors that provide a visualization of cell characteristics. Such single cell-resolution allows for various analyses, such as investigations of cell-to-cell interactions, phagocytosis, tumor architecture and cell cycle stages.
- 6-way Cell Sorting: The system allows a simultaneous sorting of up to six cell subsets into tubes (1.5 ml, 2.0 ml and 5.0 ml), plates (94- and 384-well plates) or microscope slides. Sort gates can be adjusted using cell images to enhance the quality of downstream processes, such as sequencing, culturing or protein engineering.
Usage cost: The standard hourly usage rate for the BD FACSDiscover™ S8 Cell Sorter Service is as follows:
- Cell Population Analysis = $110.00
- Sample Sorting = $90.00
- Sample Sorting and Analysis = $150.00
Other facilities within the flow cytometry core
BD FACSCanto™ II Flow Cytometer: This is a reliable workhorse for routine flow cytometry analysis, balancing performance, reliability, and ease of use. It is equipped with three (3) lasers — Blue (488nm), Red (635nm), and Violet (405nm) — enabling the detection of up to six (6) colours simultaneously. Whether analyzing blood, tissue, or cultured cells, the FACSCanto™ II provides researchers and clinicians with a robust performance and reliable data, supporting applications across immunology, oncology, and infectious disease research.
BD Accuri™ C6 Plus Flow Cytometer: This equipment is a compact, cytometer designed to provide powerful analytical performance in a small footprint. Equipped with two (2) lasers — Red (635nm) and Blue (488nm) — it supports four (4)-colour analysis. The Accuri™ C6 Plus can accommodate both tubes and 96-well plates, offering flexibility for various processing formats. Despite its simplicity, the Accuri™ C6 Plus is a cost-effective solution for generating high-quality data in immunology, microbiology, and molecular biology.
For charges on the use of BD FACSCanto™ II Flow Cytometer and BD Accuri™ C6 Plus Flow Cytometer. Kindly enquire from the core facility (see email address below).
Consultation Services
The Flow Cytometry Core offers comprehensive consultation services designed to help researchers and clinicians achieve optimal experimental design and data quality. Our consultation services ensure that researchers can maximize the power and flexibility of our flow cytometers, reduce streamline analysis workflows and experimental errors. This is particularly valuable for researchers working with multicolour panels, rare cell/ particle populations, or novel experimental approaches. Our expert team is available to assist in:
- Experimental Design
Designing a study that integrates flow cytometry effectively is essential for generating meaningful and reproducible data. Our team provides expert guidance on study design, hypothesis formulation, and selecting the right experimental approach to fit research objectives. We help optimize controls, sample collection, and preparation to ensure compatibility with the chosen markers and instruments.
The standard hourly rate for Experimental Design is $50.00.
- Panel Design
We help researchers design efficient multicolour panels, ensuring optimal fluorochrome selection and minimizing spectral overlap. Our expertise ensures that marker combinations maximize resolution while maintaining compatibility with instrument configurations.
The standard hourly rate for Panel Design is $50.00 for a maximum of 6 markers. For more than 6 markers, the cost will be adjusted upward as appropriate.
- FlowJo Data Analysis
We provide expert support in gating strategies, compensation, statistical interpretation, and visualization using FlowJo software. Our goal is to help users generate clear, publication-ready data and troubleshoot data inconsistencies.
Before the consultation, researchers or clinicians are required to submit a brief project summary, including their research or clinical objectives, target markers, sample type, and any existing protocols. This allows us to tailor our guidance to your specific needs.
The standard hourly rate for FlowJo Analysis is $50.00 for a maximum of 6 markers. For more than 6 markers, the cost will be adjusted upward as appropriate.
- Reagent (antibodies and stains) Inventory and Sample Processing
The Flow Cytometry Core offer reagents as part of their purchasable services. Clients can access the complete product list for pricing and availability here. The database is updated regularly. Contact the Flow Cytometry Core for more information.
We also offer services in sample processing using our antibody inventory or your provided antibodies. The standard hourly rate for sample processing is $20.00. You can also purchase vials of antibodies and other reagents from our stocks. See the list of available reagents for purchase.
Guidelines for access and use of the Core facility
Presently, instruments are only operated by authorized and dedicated personnel to ensure optimal performance and data quality. To ensure efficient operations, please follow these guidelines:
- Service request procedure: You can send an email to the facility (see email address below) to request any of the advertised services.
- Payment: Payment depends on the services and antibodies you require from the Core Facility. Payment should be made at the NMIMR Accounts Unit and the receipt presented to the Core Facility before sample processing can Payment details will be provided once costing has been completed.
- Choice of equipment: Depending on the services required, clients will be advised on the best instrument within the core facility to be used for delivering the service
- Operation: Trained staff will run samples provided by clients. A client can, however, be present to observe and work with the designated operator(s).
Terms and Conditions
- There is a standard hourly usage rate for all instruments and consultation services. The minimum charge is one (1) hour at the standard rate, and reservations must be made in one-hour increments. Rates may vary under certain conditions. An hour’s rate will be charged for cancellations made less than 24 hours before the scheduled appointment, and 100% of the order fee will be charged in the event of a no-show. Reach out to the facility (see email below) for details about the hourly rates and other associated costs.
- We do not accept responsibility for samples not properly collected and stored.
- Reanalysis of samples because of inconclusive results will be charged as a new order.
- Clients’ results will be stored for a maximum of four (4) weeks.
We encourage you to leverage the advanced multiparametric capabilities of the BD FACSDiscover™ S8 Cell Sorter to drive your research forward. Contact the Flow Cytometry Core today to explore how this technology can benefit your project or practice. Unlock the language of cells. Make a discovery.
For further enquiries, contact:
fccore@noguchi.ug.edu.gh