BD FACS Canto Flow Cytometer

Location: 873 WIDB

Flow cytometry is a means of measuring certain physical and chemical characteristics of cells or particles as they travel in suspension one by one past a sensing point. In one way flow cytometers can be considered to be specialised fluorescence microscopes. We can measure physical characteristics such as cell size, shape and internal complexity and, of course, any cell component or function that can be detected by a fluorescent compound can be examined.

The BD FACSCanto is unable to sort cell populations while the BD FACSVantage can.

Only RIC Facility Personnel or Authorized Users may run the Flow cytometer. To become an authorized user an individual must attend the week long training course offered by BD Biosciences.

Cellular features measurable by Flow Cytometry:

• Intrinsic : size, shape, cytoplasmic granularity, autofluorescence and pigmentation

• Extrinsic : DNA content, DNA composition, DNA synthesis, cell cycle, chromatin structure, RNA, protein, sulphydryl groups, Antigens (surface, cytoplasmic & nuclear), lectin binding sites, cytoskeletal components, membrane structure (potential, permeability & fluidity), enzyme activity, endocytosis, surface charge, receptors, bound and free calcium, apoptosis, necrosis, pH, drug kinetics, etc.

Features:

• True 6-color capability — Get more information per cell from smaller sample volumes

• Sensitive (<50 MESF PE, <100 MESF FITC*) — Resolves the dimmest events

• Quick (10,000 events/sec) — Accelerates rare event acquisition

• Low carryover (<0.1%) — Minimizes sample contamination

• Uses 5 ml polystyrene round bottom tubes 12 x 75 mm style. BD Falcon Cat No. 352052

Additional Information:

BD FACSCanto Brochure

Online Flow Cytometry Training

Flow Cytometry Software

Flow Cytometer Instructions

Summit Software Instructions

Summit Software Overlay Instructions

Flow Cytometry Submission Form

Fluorichromes Detectable by the Canto

Online Fluorescence Spectra tool

Antibody Staining Protocol