Flow Cytometry

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CYTOMETRY EDUCATION

In-House Cytometry Education:

In order to facilitate a researchers' ability to implement flow cytometry techniques in their research, the flow cytometry core facility sponsors cytometry education in two formats:

Flow Cytometry User Group Meetings:  The "User Group" meetings are educational meetings conducted in an informal setting covering topics in flow cytometry.  The objective is for investigators to gain practical knowledge of flow cytometry principles and applications.  Also, researchers are encouraged to bring questions generated from their own experiences with flow cytometry methods for general discussion.  Topics covered range from basic principles to the implementation of individual applications.  The format is a short lecture followed by a question and answer period.  These meetings are normally conducted monthly from fall to spring.  Scheduled talks are announced via e-mail to facility users and through periodic announcement postings.  If a group of investigators are interested in having a talk on a particular subject, please indicate this to the core facility personnel.

Instrument Training:  Training sessions are conducted each Monday (10:00-11:30am) for the Beckman Coulter XL flow cytometer.  The XL is a single-laser, four-color capable benchtop cytometer designed for routine analysis.  Individuals can obtain the basic operating instructions such that they can independently operate the cytometer for data acquisition and analysis.  Besides gaining a greater in-depth understanding of how the data is generated, advantages of independent operation include additional flexibility in scheduling and eligibility for the discounted operating rate.  E-mail Jeff Nelson (J-nelson3@northwestern.edu) for available dates (can accommodate four people/session).  See the Beckman Coulter XL Operating Instructions for a detailed step by step guide to instrument use.  See Fees Table for charges related to instrument training.  Topics covered in the training session include:

• Basic review of flow cytometry principles
  

• Instrument components and function
  

• Instrument startup/shutdown/cleaning
  

• Instrument and application quality control
  

• Protocol setup: parameter selection, voltage adjustment, gating logic
  

• Data analysis and interpretation

Formal Cytometry Training Courses:

Investigators interested in obtaining in-depth cytometry training may wish to attend one of the formal training courses offered annually by Cytometry Education Associates, Inc.  Visit the website at www.vsh.com/cytometrycourses/ for current offerings, locations and training content.  The week-long courses have emphases in clinical or research cytometry and offer intensive didactic and hands-on learning.

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Flow Cytometry Core Facility  710 N. Fairbanks Court  Chicago, IL  60611
Phone:  (312) 908-1294   Fax:  (312) 908-1372   E-mail:  J-Nelson3@northwestern.edu
Last updated November, 2007  World Wide Web Disclaimer and University Policy Statements
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