Overview of Services
FlowCore is a service based technology platform, specialising in analysis and cell sorting through flow cytometry. The facility is segregated into two laboratories, one of which consists of five user-operated flow cytometers that are utilised for analysis only and the other laboratory houses four staff-operated high speed cell sorters and a user operarated autoMACS® Pro Separator. FlowCore provides a subsidised fee structure for all researchers at Monash University's Clayton campus. Our equipment provides robust features for implementing complex multicolor experiments. Every instrument in our facility's repertoire is equipped with a minimum of four laser lines (405nm/488nm/561nm/640nm) and the majority include the 355nm UV laser line as well. Our flagship analyser provides up to seven laser lines. All high speed cell sorters can be configured with both 70 and 100µm nozzles and are capable of sorting up to four subsets simultaneously, while our flagship cell sorter provides for six-way sorting. Two of our cell sorters can safely process bio-hazardous samples within custom built Class II biosafety cabinets. Augmented by a staff of five scientists with more than fifty years combined experience in analytical cytometry, FlowCore is truly a world-class flow cytometry core facility.
Provisions for staff assistance, data analysis and training
- Staff Assistance:
- Dedicated operator assistance is provided only for the cell sorting flow cytometers. Qualified researchers will be expected to operate the analytical flow cytometers independently following a free requisite training course. If you need help, just ask. During regular business hours, staff members are happy to provide advice or assistance as needed. Please be mindful that our first priority is to provide service for our clients in the cell sorting laboratory. Thank you for your patience as we endeavour to provide assistance as quickly as it is reasonably possible.
- Post-acquisition data analysis:
- FlowCore staff are happy to assist our clients with the analysis of their acquired data using FlowJo analysis software. Please be advised that FlowCore staff do not have the expertise or time to provide advanced training or extended assistance. As time permits, we can provide rudimentary guidance and brief intervals of assistance to clients who are using the FlowJo software application. As a courtesy to our clients, FlowCore provides two purpose built post-acquisition data analysis workstations that are available for use during regular business hours. These two new iMacs are placed in the FlowCore office space and provide high speed access to our networked data store, FlowJo software, the full Microsoft Office suite and GraphPad Prism which combines scientific graphing, comprehensive curve fitting (nonlinear regression), understandable statistics, and data organization. No reservation is necessary, these workstations are available on a first come, first served basis. For clients who prefer to use the FlowJo software on their own computers, FlowCore offers a subsidised lease program. Please contact Kathryn Flanagan for licensing details.
- Client relations and platform specific Information Technology:
- Please addess any general issues in the context of interfacing with our core platform to FlowCore Enquiries. Relevant items include; access to the facility data store, facility registration requests, queries regarding the iLab core facility management software system.
- Please address training appointments, swipe card security access issues and the management of FlowJo software leases to Kathryn Flanagan.
- Any urgent administrative issues or queries regarding rates, funding or other financial issues should be addressed to the facility manager Andrew Fryga.
- Keith Niven is our resident FlowJo expert and Adam Dinsdale oversees the management of our analysis instrumentation.
Education – Standard Training Provisions
- FlowCore's Requisite Training Course - Please refer to the above section on training and staff assistance for a brief outline of FlowCore's provisions for training clients in the use of our analytical instruments. Our two hour requisite course provides a basic understanding of how flow cytometers work, how this impacts experimental design, what controls you will need and what to expect from your data. Users will also recieve an overview of the BDBioscience FACS Diva data acquisition software application. Additionally this course will include specific instructions on relevant policies for instrument usage during and after regular business hours. Participants are encouraged to bring a limited number of experimental samples that can be evaluated for educational purposes during this session.
- FlowCore's Educational Resources - The FlowCore website contains a wealth of information designed to educate our user base and pepare them for their first experiments. Relevant pages on our website include a virtual tour of our facility, training for our analysers as well as an ARPANSA certified laser safety course (offered through CSIRO's Clayton campus), a user guide to your first sort, a FAQs page with concise answers to fourteen of the most frequently asked questions, and a page full of useful links to supplementary educational material.
- Scientists who are new to flow cytometry and eager to learn the fundamentals would be well served by reading Alice Givan's excellent book entitled "Flow Cytometry: First Principles". This book assumes no prior knowledge of flow cytometry and progresses with an easy reading and engaging style from simple to more complex concepts. This book is available through the Wiley Online Library, at the campus library, otherwise FlowCore maintains severals copies that are available for temporary loan.
Leadership
FlowCore is run by five dedicated full-time staff with more then 50 years combined experience in flow cytometry. Services provided by our staff include operation of the sorters, provision of on-site training and assistance for the analysers and consultation for researchers requiring help with experimental design. Refer to 'Training and staff assistance' section above for further information.
General contact details
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