UCSF Flow and Mass Cytometry Core

Overview

The mission of the Flow and Mass Cytometry Core is to provide a shared facility that assists investigators whose studies require the characterization of molecular markers in dispersed cells and/or the isolation of cells based on those markers.

Objectives

We support research needs common to multiple researchers for which collective implementation improves research capabilities through the following objectives:

• Provide and maintain highly sophisticated flow cytometry, cell sorting and mass cytometry instruments, including coordination of instrument procurement aligned with DRC needs.
• Provide consultation, operator assistance and training of DRC members in the application of cytometry and cell sorting technologies in order to enable robust best practices for data collection and interpretation.
• Centralize resources into a single facility to improve the standardization of equipment calibration, equipment configuration and use of experimental protocols. This improves reproducibility of results and minimizes inefficiencies, which in turn increases the ability to compare results from different labs and timepoints to promote collaboration among DRC laboratories.
• Enable cost sharing for expensive instrumentation and reagents and provide economies of scale to develop self-sustaining Core services.
• Coordinate development and adoption of new methods to provide cutting edge capabilities to DRC researchers. Dedicated career and expert personnel facilitate continuity, longevity and development of services, through testing of new protocols and new equipment as well as advanced training.

Parnassus Flow Cytometry Core

The Parnassus Flow Cytometry Coreassists investigators whose research requires molecular marker characterization of cells in suspension as well as the isolation of cells based on those markers. Advanced cell sorting and cytometric analyses are readily conducted by experts within the Core or by trained laboratory members. The Core consists of instruments consolidated from a variety of UCSF departments including the Diabetes Center, Immunology, Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, Surgery, and SABRE, with the costs of maintaining sophisticated equipment shared across its many users through a recharge system. Services and instrumentation are available to be scheduled and utilized by all UCSF labs and affiliates following proper training.

The Diabetes Research Center (DRC) subsidizes the cost for DRC members and financially supports project development for all users. Please inform us if you publish using data obtained from our facility. Your publications help support our center grant which assists in keeping this Flow Cytometry Facility running. Users are reminded to acknowledge DRC Center Grant (NIH P30 DK063720). The Parnassus Flow Cytometry Core, in collaboration with similar Core facilities on campus, also helps to identify emerging technologies that will enhance multiple research programs and coordinates the acquisition and maintenance of those facilities. We encourage feedback on available or missing services to help improve the facility to make sure it meets your needs and demands.

Services

The Flow Cytometry Core provides 13 main services and 10 different instrument types listed below, consisting of various core technologies including flow and mass cytometer analyzers, flow cytometer cell sorters, single cell genomic isolators, genomic analyzers, genomic library preparation equipment, as well as analysis work station and software options for analyzing your data. In addition, we also offer guidance and assistance services to help you utilize the instruments to their full potential. Instruments with the "self" prefix indicate that you can be trained to use them yourself.

1. Self analysis on Flow Cytometers | Analyzers
2. Self sorting on Flow Cytometers | Cell Sorters
3. Operator Assisted Cell Sorting
4. Self analysis on Mass Cytometer | CyTOF
5. Operator assisted analysis on CyTOF
6. CyTOF Antibody Conjugation
7. Self Genomic operation of Fluidigm platforms
8. Assistance / Guidance
9. Training
10. Analysis Workstations / Software

The PFCC Layout Summary contains the configurations of all instruments in the Core.