With advancements in cell sorting technology, our cell sorters have the ability to accurately separate individual cells through a sophisticated sorting process. They seamlessly integrate into the cell sorting workflow, providing an efficient and effective solution for your experiments.
Features
Essential Features
- Our cell sorters offer exceptional performance in single-cell sorting, utilizing advanced flow cytometry technology to achieve high efficiency and accuracy in isolating target cells.
- These instruments deliver high-quality sorted cells by ensuring minimal sample contamination and carryover, and by maintaining cell viability during the sorting process.
- Our cell sorters are designed with robust construction and components, ensuring long-term durability and reliable operation to meet the demanding needs of scientific research and clinical applications.
Applications
Applications of Cell Sorters
- Cell sorters are widely used in cell line development processes. They enable researchers to isolate and purify specific cell populations with desired characteristics for applications such as biopharmaceutical production, gene editing, and disease modeling.
- Cell sorters are employed in stem cell research. They allow for the isolation and purification of stem cells based on specific surface markers.
- Cell sorters are often used in single cell genomics workflows to remove dead cells and/or other unwanted cells.
FAQs
What is a cell sorter?
A cell sorter is a specialized instrument that combines flow cytometry and sorting capabilities. Cell sorters detect and analyze cells labeled with fluorescent markers, allowing for the identification and separation of specific cell populations based on their unique fluorescence profiles. It enables the isolation and collection of individual cells of interest, providing researchers with purified cell populations for downstream applications such as genomic analysis, cell line development, and studying cellular heterogeneity.
What is the difference between cell sorting and flow cytometry?
Cell sorting is a specific application of flow cytometry that analyzes and physically separates cells based on their fluorescent properties, allowing for the isolation of specific cell populations. Flow cytometry, on the other hand, refers to the broader technique of analyzing and quantifying cellular characteristics, including fluorescence, but does not involve the physical separation of cells.
What is the importance of cell sorting during flow cytometry?
Cell sorting plays a crucial role in many cell-based areas of research. It allows researchers to isolate and collect specific cell populations of interest based on their characteristics, allowing for downstream analysis of a pure population. Functional studies, and subsequent applications in fields like immunology, gene expression analysis, oncology, and stem cell research all benefit from the use of cell sorters.
What is the recommended cell concentration for cell sorting?
The concentration of sorted cells typically ranges from 200,000 up to 10 million cells per ml, which depends on how the sample tolerates being highly concentrated and a user’s needs for higher yields or shorter sorting times.
What are the different types of cell sorting?
There are several different modalities of cell sorting methods:
- Droplet-based cell sorting: Droplet-based cell sorters generate droplets, which are selectively given electric charges and are sorted by an electric field. These frequently use fluorescent labels.
- Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting (MACS): MACS employs magnetic beads conjugated with specific antibodies to selectively bind and separate target cells from a mixture using a magnetic field. These are typically less complex than what fluorescence-based sorts offer.
- Microfluidic Cell Sorting: Microfluidic cell sorting relies on microscale channels and precise fluid control to sort cells based on various properties such as size, morphology, or fluorescent surface markers.
CytoFLEX SRT Cell Sorter
The CytoFLEX SRT Cell Sorter: This is a highly automated cell sorter, engineered for ease of use, allowing for the precise sorting of single cells. Its advanced capabilities, including a wide range of fluorescent detectors, enable a variety of cell sorting needs.
What types of cells can our cell sorters isolate?
Our cell sorters are versatile and capable of isolating various types of cells for different applications. Examples include immune cells, cultured cell lines, organ digests, bacteria, and yeast.
What are the typical cell sorting efficiencies and purities achievable with our instruments?
Our instruments consistently achieve high efficiency and accuracy in isolating specific cells. They deliver outstanding quality by ensuring minimal sample contamination and maintaining cell viability during sorting. Purities of up to 99% and yields of up to 80% of Poisson’s expected yield are possible with many samples.
What are the types of flow cytometers compatible with our cell sorters?
Our cell sorters are compatible with a variety of flow cytometers.
CytoFLEX S
CytoFLEX LS
This compatibility allows for easy experimental transfer from optically-matched analyzers to the cell sorter, eliminating repetitive setup of experiment settings and data views.
Do our cell sorters offer customized sorting solutions or integration with other research equipment?
Yes, the flexibility of these systems allows for tailored configurations to meet specific research needs. Integration capabilities enable seamless collaboration with other instruments and technologies, enhancing the overall functionality of the laboratory setup. CytExpert SRT software has automation capabilities built into its software, which can allow for integration into bespoke automated workflows.
What are the typical maintenance requirements for our cell sorters?
The maintenance of our CytoFLEX SRT Cell Sorter is made convenient with readily available replacement parts for routine upkeep. We offer service coverage and routine preventive maintenance procedures to ensure the optimal performance of the instrument. Below are the replacement parts along with their respective part numbers for the CytoFLEX SRT Cell Sorter:
CytoFLEX SRT Capsule Filter - C64209
CytoFLEX SRT Sample Line Assembly - C64203
CytoFLEX SRT Sample Probe - C64204
CytoFLEX SRT Nozzle Module, 100μm - C58834
CytoFLEX SRT Nozzle, 100μm - C68147
CytoFLEX SRT Orifice O-Ring (x10) - C64205
CytoFLEX SRT Sheath Tank Assembly - C64206
CytoFLEX SRT Waste Container - C64207
CytoFLEX SRT Shutdown Fluid Container - C64208
CytoFLEX SRT Waste Air Filter (x6) - C64210
CytoFLEX SRT De-bubble Filter - C64211
Regularly replacing parts as scheduled helps extend the lifespan of the instrument and maintains its accuracy and reliability during cell sorting processes.
There are also recommended cleaning protocols for maintaining a cell sorter. Many of these daily cleaning steps have automated reminders and wizards in CytExpert SRT software.
What software do our cell sorters use and what data analysis capabilities are available?
Our cell sorters are equipped with the user-friendly CytExpert software, providing a seamless and intuitive interface for operation. This software allows for the easy transfer of protocol files, enabling users to conduct analytical experiments that extend beyond mere detection to include clonal expansion and sequencing. CytExpert facilitates multicolor analysis, offering advanced data analysis capabilities to enhance the depth and precision of your experiments in the field of cell sorting.
Can our cell sorters be used for aseptic sorting applications?
Yes, our cell sorters are well-suited for aseptic sorting applications. If system contamination is suspected, an Aseptic Clean Program can clean all system fluidic lines. In conjunction with replacing the sample line and sheath filter, the system fluidics can be disinfected.
To ensure clean fluidics over time, a fluidic monitoring program for sorter labs is advised, typically by sampling system sheath and culturing to check for the presence of bacteria or fungi.
What are the safety features included in our cell sorters?
Our cell sorters prioritize biosafety with features like the Custom Baker SterilGARD BSL2 cabinet and an aerosol evacuation system. The quick-release nozzle design facilitates easy access to the nozzle tip, streamlining maintenance and minimizing potential exposure. Additionally, the CyClone plate arm with wiper seals enhances safety by preventing the hazardous materials from escaping the sort chamber.
What cell line development applications are your cell sorters best suited for?
Our cell sorters excel in diverse cell line development applications, including biopharmaceutical production, gene editing, and disease modeling, by efficiently isolating and purifying specific cell populations with desired characteristics. Additionally, their capabilities in stem cell research, make them versatile tools across a spectrum of research areas.
What are some common challenges in cell sorting and how do we address them?
Challenges in cell sorting include issues such as sample purity, cell viability, and maintenance of cell functionality. We have designed our cell sorter to have a lower system pressure than many cell sorters, which can aid in preserving cell viability and function. Assay troubleshooting with the support of our applications scientists can assist with finding the best conditions for particular sorts.