Flow Cytometry Training Center

Welcome to Flow Cytometry! Below you will find the rough outline for how we train new users to the Flow Core here at the University of Rochester.

New to the Flow Core?

The following documents will either be needed during training or are a useful resource before you come for training.

Registration

Everyone must register for a user account and flow training if they would like to use the Flow Core instruments. This is done by:

Fill out the New User Form. The new user will be contacted regarding the beginning of the training process by the Flow Core staff.
Read and complete the Intro to Flow tutorial.

After Registration

Introduction to Flow Lecture.

Before you can sign up for initial training, you will be required to attend the Introduction to Flow lecture. This is a 1 hour basic lecture to introduce you to the concepts of flow cytometry. Training will occur in 3-6232, the McCann A room at 4pm every other Monday. There is no registration for the lecture and all are eligible to attend. Please be sure to have reviewed the material in the ‘Introduction to Flow’ pdf.

Follow this link to get the slides for the Introduction lecture.

First Training Visit

The first visit is done on the FACSCantoII located in the Flow Core using beads and will serve as an introduction to flow cytometry and the FACSDiva software. The trainer will perform the setup and run samples with the new user watching.

Training sessions only occur Wednesday-Friday mornings, 9 to 10am, and 10 to 11am.

Ask any questions brought up while reading the Introduction to Flow tutorial.
A basic experiment will be run from start to finish including compensation using this software guide.
There is no charge for this training visit.
This visit can be done in a group of two people if requested.
It is critical that Visit 1 starts on time. Anyone more than 10 minutes
late will have to reschedule and will be charged for 1 hour of time on the
FACSCanto.

Second Training Visit

The second visit is done on the Canto using samples brought by the new user. The new user will run from start to finish with guidance throughout from the trainer. This visit should be a small practice experiment to allow the new user to get acquainted with the software. An experiment of three colors and a couple of samples is sufficient.

Training sessions only occur Wednesday-Friday mornings, 9-11am.

Running practice samples is suggested prior to running critical samples.
There is no charge for this training visit.
This visit is for one trainee at a time with no exceptions.
It is critical that Visit 2 starts on time. Anyone more than 10 minutes
late will have to reschedule and will be charged for 1 hour of time on the
FACSCanto.

Optional Visit 3 - The LSRII

Instructor reviews the use of the LSR-II with emphasis on fluidics and instrument operation with trainee. This visit is done using beads provided by the flow core. Scheduled on an “as needed basis”. There is no charge for this visit and should take approximately 30 minutes.

Calendar Access

After visit 2 (for Canto) and 3 (for LSR-II), the trainee can access the calendar and schedule/run experiments during normal business hours. Flow core staff will sign-in the investigator to the instruments at this point.

Software Access

For an investigator to get independent software access to the FACSCanto or LSR-II, they must pass the basic competency test. This is designed to make sure they can run the machine and understand the major policies of the flow core. The test will be composed of 10 questions, and a practical demonstration on the instrument of choice.

The written test, which is open book, will comprise questions about flow cytometry and the Flow Core, taken from the initial training lecture, the initial DIVA training visits and the flow core webpage. This must be completed and submitted prior to scheduling a practical. While a separate practical is required for the LSR-II and Canto, only a single written exam will be required.

The practical demonstration will involve the investigator running the instrument from start to finish, using samples provided by the flow core. Successful demonstration of competence on the instrument will result in the release of the users password for independent operation during normal business hours.

If they fail, the investigator must wait two weeks to reschedule the test. If they fail a second time, the investigator must undergo the whole training (Visits 1-3) before they can schedule a third test. If they fail the third test, the director will talk to the investigator’s PI before they proceed to take the test a fourth time.

A separate practical test will be applied for the LSR-II and the FACSCanto. A separate training session (free, approximately ½ hour) and practical test for the HTS will be required for those using the HTS.

After-Hours Access

The Flow Core is open during normal business hours (9am to 5pm) from Monday through Friday.

To receive after-hours access, the investigator must fill out the afterhours access form. A separate training session (free, approximately ½ hour) will be scheduled to review the specifics of after-hours access and instrument troubleshooting. After this session, the investigator must pass a written afterhours access exam and practical demonstration. If they fail, they must wait two weeks to reschedule the test. An investigator can schedule this test any time after they have normal access to the instrument.