{"id":5365,"date":"2015-10-25T14:36:43","date_gmt":"2015-10-25T21:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vermont.salk.edu\/?page_id=5365"},"modified":"2026-04-01T15:03:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T22:03:30","slug":"instrumentation-services","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.salk.edu\/de\/science\/core-facilities\/flow-cytometry\/instrumentation-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Instrumentation & Services"},"content":{"rendered":"

Instrumentation<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
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Salk Core: Cell Sorters<\/strong><\/a>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\t\r\n
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ThermoFisher Bigfoot (Jet-in-Air technology)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

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Optical Configuration<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

ThermoFisher Bigfoot website<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

The most recent addition to the Salk Institute\u2019s Flow Cytometry Core is the Thermo Bigfoot Spectral Cell Sorter, a state-of-the-art system funded by an NIH High-End Instrumentation award (S10 OD034268). This advanced jet-in-air sorter is equipped with seven spatially separated lasers and 55 fluorescence detectors, offering both conventional and spectral unmixing detection modes. Engineered for high-speed, high-sensitivity sorting, the Bigfoot\u2019s design ensures gentle processing of delicate and sensitive cell types.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

To accommodate a wide range of particle sizes, the system has interchangeable nozzles (70, 100, 120, 150, 200\u00b5m) and can simultaneously sort up to six distinct populations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Bigfoot also supports multiple scatter detection modes, enabling simultaneous standard and small-particle detection, multi-laser scatter detection, polarization analysis, and sorting of low-scatter events\u2014ideal for challenging applications such as extracellular vesicle (EV) analysis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The instrument is housed in a fully enclosed biosafety cabinet with redundant aerosol management, enabling BSL-2 compliant sorting workflows. It supports a variety of collection formats, including multiple tube sizes and 96- and 384-well plates. Leveraging a novel multi-stream deposition system, the Bigfoot offers exceptional throughput\u2014sorting high-abundance targets into 384-well plates in as little as 24 seconds\u2014while maximizing sample efficiency.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"6-way
Bigfoot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n
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BD Influxes (Jet-in-Air technology)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

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Salk Influxes Info (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Salk core has 2 state-of-the-art BD InfluxTM cell sorters. These are jet-in-air design instruments uniquely suited for isolating delicate cells, and for high-speed sorting. \u201cInflux-1\u201d is equipped with 5 lasers, 11 fluorescent detectors. \u201cKirin Influx\u201d is equipped with 4 lasers, 16 fluorescent detectors. All Influxes have biosafety enclosures that enable BSL2 rated sorts. Several features of the Influx (including flow cell characteristics and use of low-noise pre-amp electronics) come together to enable excellent detection sensitivity and stable high-throughput sorting, while maintaining the integrity and viability of sensitive cell types. It is also remarkably fast and accurate at sorting into 384-well plates (~3.5min\/plate for highly abundant targets).<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Influx has several nozzle sizes (70, 86, 100, 140-um) available to accommodate a variety of particle sizes and can sort up to 6 populations simultaneously. Cells may be collected into a variety of tube types or multi-well plates (e.g. 384 well).<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"6-way
6-way sorting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n
\"Influx-1\"
Influx-1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n
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BD FACSAria Fusion (Fixed alignment cuvette)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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Salk Aria Fusion Info (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Optical Configuration (Fusion)<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Download Optical Configuration (XLS)<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

The BD Biosciences FACSAriaTM Fusion is a high-end cell sorter. The Salk\u2019s Aria Fusion is from the Special Order Research Product (SORP) line, with air launched high power lasers. The Aria design integrates fully fixed stream and optical alignment with a patented quartz cuvette flow cell and optical gel-coupled optics. While geared towards high sensitivity, complex flow cytometry, it remains easy to use, controlled by the same Diva software used by other BD Biosciences analyzers in the core. It is configured with 13 fluorescence and 2 light scatter detectors. This instrument is equipped with a full enclosure Class II Type A2 biosafety cabinet for sorting up to biosafety rating level BSL2.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Aria Fusion has several nozzle sizes available (70, 85, 100, 130-um) to accommodate a variety of particle sizes and can sort up to 4 populations simultaneously. Cells may be collected into a variety of tube types or multi-well plates (e.g. 384 well).<\/p>\r\n\r\n

CITING USAGE IN PUBLICATIONS:<\/strong> This instrument was acquired by a NIH Shared Instrumentation Grant (S10) award along with additional funding support from Larry and Carol Greenfield Technology Fund. In addition to the Salk\u2019s Cancer Center grant NIH-NCI CCSG: P30 014195<\/strong>, please reference S10-OD023689<\/strong> for reporting the use of this sorter. <\/em>

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\"Aria
Aria Fusion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n
\"4-way
4-way sorting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n
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Salk Core: Analyzers<\/strong><\/a>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
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BD FACS Symphony A5 SE<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

The BD FACS Symphony A5 SE (Spectral-Enabled) is a high-performance flow cytometer capable of both conventional and spectral detection. It features ultra-quiet VPX electronics, high-powered lasers, and highly sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). Configured with five lasers, the A5 SE supports detection of 48 fluorescent parameters, along with forward and side scatter (FSC and SSC).<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The system offers flexible sample input options, including standard tubes and a high-throughput sampler (HTS) compatible with 96- and 384-well plates. It incorporates two onboard algorithms that allow seamless switching between conventional and spectral acquisition modes, offering versatility for a wide range of applications.\r\nPre-validated assay settings for various cell types have been established and saved on the instrument for immediate use. The A5 SE operates on BD FACSDiva software and is located in the Analyzer Room.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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BD FACS Symphony A3<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Optical Configuration<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Download Optical Configuration (XLS)<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

The BD FACS Symphony A3 is a high performance flow cytometer. It features ultra-quiet VPX electronics, high-powered lasers, and highly sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). Configured with five lasers, the A3 supports detection of 23 fluorescent parameters, along with forward and side scatter (FSC and SSC).<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The system offers flexible sample input options, including standard tubes and a high-throughput sampler (HTS) compatible with 96- and 384-well plates. The A3 operates on BD FACSDiva software and is located in the Analyzer Room.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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LSRII-1 and LSRII-2<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Optical Configuration (LSRII)<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Download Optical Configuration (XLS)<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

The BD Biosciences LSR II is a configurable, high-end, analytical cytometer. A reliable platform well suited to complex polychromatic flow cytometry, the Salk\u2019s Flow Core has two units equipped with 5 lasers, and the maximum 18 fluorescence detectors, along with forward and side scatter (FSC and SSC). Since the two are configured similarly, users are able to move easily from one instrument to the other. LSRII-2 is also equipped with a HTS (High Throughput Screening) module, which enables samples to be acquired in multi-well plates. The LSR II cytometer runs on BD FACS Diva acquisition software. Both units are located in the Analyzer Room.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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Thermo Fisher Attune CytPix Flow Cytometer<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Thermo Fisher Attune CytPix Flow Cytometer is a high-performance acoustic focusing flow cytometer that integrates fluorescence-based analysis with brightfield imaging capabilities. It features precise acoustic focusing technology for consistent particle alignment, high-powered lasers, and sensitive photodetectors for reliable signal resolution. Configured with four lasers, the CytPix supports detection of up to 14 fluorescent parameters, along with forward and side scatter (FSC and SSC), and high-resolution image capture for each event.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The system offers flexible sample input options, including standard tubes and compatibility with an autosampler for higher-throughput workflows. Its imaging functionality enables real-time visualization of cells, helping to distinguish debris, aggregates, and rare populations with greater confidence. Built-in analysis tools allow users to correlate image data with fluorescence signals, enhancing data validation and interpretation. The CytPix operates on Attune Cytometric Software and is designed for intuitive acquisition and analysis across a wide range of applications.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

For more information, visit the official Thermo Fisher Scientific page<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Web Resources: Useful Links<\/strong><\/a>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
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