Flow Cytometry Core

ABSTRACT, Flow Cytometry Core (FCC) The Flow Cytometry Core (FCC), formerly Flow Cytometry Resource Facility, of the Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (IUSCCC) supports the research efforts of IUSCCC members. Flow cytometric services are integral and critical services for the research activities of IUSCCC members in all its programs. Access to a comprehensive array of flow cytometric applications such as cell sorting both in bulk and as single cells, immunophenotypic analysis, cell cycle analysis, and genomic and metabolic regulation at the single cell level is an invaluable resource for cancer research. A centralized core offering an array of flow cytometric technologies provides advantages over acquisition of these tools on an individual basis. Furthermore, the FCC offers state-of-the-art services (multiparameter cell sorting, image flow analysis, and spectral flow analysis) at a much-reduced cost to IUSCCC members, making it simpler and more efficient to provide these services through a shared facility. The infrastructure and organizational arrangements of the FCC are well established as this Shared Resource has been on the campus of the IU School of Medicine for more than three decades. The core currently houses eight instruments, including three newly acquired: a four-laser Cytek Aurora spectral flow cytometer, a four-laser BD LSRFortessa X-20 analyzer, and a four-laser BD FACSAria Fusion cell sorter during the current CCSG grant period. The FCC also upgraded the software for the Amnis Image Stream to IDEAS 6.3 with machine learning to allow users to take on complex multimodal image analysis with minimal training. The FCC is guided by two specific aims: 1) to provide outstanding, consistent, timely, and economical multicolor analysis, cell sorting, and image flow analysis to all IUSCC members to facilitate their basic and clinical cancer research; and 2) to provide expertise to enhance the productivity of IUSCCC members by delivering advice and consultations on how investigations can best make use of the centralized and standardized cost-effective flow cytometric and related services. The services include the exchange of protocols and results between investigators and advancing the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Through IU and IUSCCC support, the FCC continues to provide cutting-edge capabilities to promote pioneering research by IUSCCC members and allow them to apply advanced technologies to their research. As a Shared Resource with advanced technologies, the FCC is an economical and essential resource to many IUSCCC members.