Instrumentation

The Center for Aquatic Cytometry core equipment ranges in both age and complexity, however, a unique variety of instrumentation is available for both external and internal use.

• Cytek Northern Lights spectral analyzer - currently our newest instrument within the Center (purchased 2021). The instrument has 3 lasers (solid state violet 405 nm, blue 488 nm, and red 640 nm) and has 40 fluorescent emission detectors. The instrument has an autoloader and can analyze samples in plates and tubes.

• BioRad ZE5 cell analyzer - currently our primary cell analyzer within the Center (purchased 2019) acquired using a 2018 NSF FMSL grant. The instrument has 5 lasers (solid state UV 355 nm, violet 405 nm, blue 488 nm, YG 561 nm, and red 640 nm) and over 26 emission detectors. The instrument includes a small particle detector (SSC, 405nm) and can run samples using a variety of containers (tubes and many plates formats).

• BD (formerly Cytopeia) Influx Mariner – purchased in 2006, and initially housed within a Sea-going Cell Sorting Laboratory (UNOLS laboratory van), acquired using a 2005 NSF MRI grant. This instrument is currently located within the SCGC Facility clean room and is the primary cell-sorter used for single-cell genomics sorting and most bulk sorting needs of the Center. It has 2 solid-state lasers (Blue – 488 nm and UV – 365 nm).

• Beckman Coulter (formerly Cytomation) Legacy MoFlo - purchased in 1999, this instrument was the replacement cell-sorter for the Center's former BC EPICS V instrument. This instrument is used primarily for its unique ability to sort large particles (>40 µm). The sorter has had one major upgrade in 2011 (new primary 488 nm solid state laser).

• BD FACS Jazz/Influx Mariner – the instrument is maintained by the Center and has 3 fully functional solid-state lasers (Blue – 488 nm, UV – 365 nm, and Red – 635 nm).

• ***Fluid Imaging Technologies FlowCAM 8400*** - currently our newest imaging cytometer within the Center (purchased 2019) acquired using a 2018 NSF FMSL grant.  This imaging cytometer has the capability of visualizing particles from 2 – 500 μm (using multiple objectives – 20x, 10x, 4x, 2x). The instrument has a blue solid-state laser (488 nm) and two fluorescent detectors. 
  

• Fluid Imaging Technologies VS4 FlowCAM – acquired in 2004, one of the original FlowCAM instruments, has had two computer upgrades (2007, 2013), two laser replacements (2007, 2013), and one hardware replacement – digital processor (2007).

• Zeiss Standard Fluorescence Microscope - one of two epifluorescent imaging systems maintained by the Center.

• Olympus Inverted Fluorescence Microscope - with an Olympus EP camera.