Cytometry and cell sorting
The flow cytometry platform of the Mediterranean Center for Molecular Medicine (FC3M) provides the scientific community with a wide range of cytometers that allow multiple analytical approaches. The aim of our platform is to offer assistance to researchers by providing them with expertise, technical assistance and state-of-the-art tools. The platform is available to internal users (all C3M teams) and external users (industrial and academic). Three engineers are in charge of the platform. They provide training in the various analytical instruments, ensure daily maintenance of the instruments and offer assistance with data analysis, experimental design, and cell sorting. In addition to this equipment and service, assistance with flow cytometry technological development is also available to users of new analytical approaches.
The C3M cytometry platform consists of 5 cytometers (3 conventional analyser cytometers and 2 spectral cytometers, including 1 cell sorter).
The Côte d'Azur Microscopy Imaging network
The C3M cytometry platform was recognized as a Biology, Health and Agronomy Infrastructure (IBiSA). It is a member of the Côte d'Azur Microscopy and Imaging (MICA) network, which pools the technical platforms (photonic microscopy, electronic microscopy, cytometry and image analysis) of 8 academic research partners on the Côte d'Azur.
Cytometry and cell sorting managers
BD Biosciences - Cytek equipment and cell sorting manager : Frederic LARBRET
Miltenyi Biotec equipment manager : Marielle NEBOUT
Substitute cell sorting operator : Coline SAVY
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the operation
or the technical possibilities of the platform.
The Cytek Aurora is a spectral cytometer equipped with 5 lasers (355 nm, 405 nm, 488 nm, 560 nm and 633 nm) and 54 detectors.
Spectral technology allows simultaneous use of fluorochromes with very close emission maxima such as APC and Alexa Fluor 647 at identical excitation wavelengths. This apparatus is equipped with a 96 to 384 well plate changer.
The MACSQuant MQ10 Analyzer is equipped with 3 spatially offset Coherent air-cooled lasers and 10 optical parameters:
FSC and SSC with PMT and 8 fluorescences
- 2 PMT on the 405 nm violet laser (405 nm diode laser with 40mW power)
- 4 PMT on the 488 nm blue laser (488 nm sapphire Diode Pumped Solid-State (DPSS) laser, with 30mW power)
- 2 PMT on the 635 nm red laser (635 nm diode laser with 20mW power)
It has a plate changer to automate the acquisition in 96-well plates.
The MACSQuant VYB Analyzer is equipped with 3 spatially offset Coherent air-cooled lasers and 10 optical parameters:
FSC and SSC with PMT and 8 fluorescences
- 2 PMT on the 405 nm violet laser (405 nm diode laser with 40mW power)
- 2 PMT on the 488 nm blue laser (488 nm sapphire laser diode with 50mW power)
- 4 PMT on the 561 nm yellow laser (561 nm sapphire Diode Pumped Solid-State (DPSS) laser with 100mW power)
It has a plate changer to automate the acquisition in 96-well plates.
The MACSquant Analyzer is equipped with 3 spatially shifted Coherent air-cooled lasers and 9 optical parameters:
FSC and SSC with PMT and 7 fluorescences
- 1 PMT on the 405 nm violet laser (405 nm laser diode, with 40mW power)
- 3 PMT on the 488 nm blue laser (488 nm sapphire Diode Pumped Solid-State (DPSS) laser, with 30mW power)
- 2 PMT on the 635 nm red laser (635 nm diode laser, with 20mW power)
It has a plate changer to automate the acquisition in 96-well plates.
The BD FACSCanto II is equipped with 3 lasers of 405 nm, 488 nm and 633 nm and 8 detectors. It is equipped with a carousel that automates the acquisition of up to 48 tubes.
FACSCANTO II configuration
The Aurora cell sorter (CS) is equipped with 4 lasers (405nm, 488nm, 561nm and 633nm) and 48 detectors. It allows to perform sorting from spectral analysis and to select simultaneously up to 6 different populations. Sorting can also be performed in 96-well plates. Installed under a laminar flow hood, it guarantees the sterility of the samples and a level 2 biological protection of the users. The use of this device is conditioned by an appointment with F. Larbret.
Aurora CS configuration
The autoMACS Pro Separator is an automated magnetic cell separation system that was developed to isolate specific subpopulations of cells from widely heterogeneous populations.
The system allows positive cell separation and depletion without affecting their function and viability.
The MACS Pick Up is an intelligent refrigerator that keeps a stock of Miltenyi Biotec reagents between +2°C and +8°C.
With your team badge, you can remove any product from the MACS Pick Up at any time. Stocks are automatically replenished every week. An invoice is automatically sent via your manager.
You can consult the list of products in the C3M MACS Pick Up.
MACS PICK UPTo access the platform, users must be trained by platform staff and sign the internal regulations. Users must register for each device on the C3M intranet. The platform pools the purchase of standard reagents, and the use of cytometers and cell sorters is subject to a quarterly fee.
As stipulated in the regulations, publications containing data generated on the platform must mention in the acknowledgements: "Sample acquisition and data analysis were performed at the C3M Cytometry Core Facility funded by the Conseil Général CG06 and Conseil Régional PACA."
We encourage all users to take the following training courses offered by our partners:
- Flow Cytometry: 3-day training course "Introduction to Flow Cytometry". Theoretical and practical training.
- Spectral flow cytometry: 2-day training course "Introduction to spectral flow cytometry". Theoretical and practical training.
For further information, please contact Frédéric Larbret
For PhD students at Université Côte d'Azur:
- Introduction to flow cytometry Read more
