Flow Cytometry

Typical Assays

• DNA Content
• Cell Cycle Analysis
• Apoptosis Measurement
• Immunophenotyping
• Intracellular Antigen
• Cell Counting
• Cytometric Bead Array
• Functional Assays
• Cell Proliferation
• Surface Antigen Quantification

Useful Pages for Flow Users

Many informative sites for flow users can be found at:

• Fluorochrome Absorption and Emission Spectra
• Practical Flow Cytometry, Fourth Edition
  

  Howard M. Shapiro's definitive text on flow cytometry is now available for viewing on this website

• Fluorescence Spectra Viewer
• Current Protocols in Cytometry

Scheduling & Instrumentation

The Main Facility is open Monday-Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. The Satellite Facilities are open 24 hours per day. To guarantee availability, instrument time should be scheduled one week in advance. Please contact us to schedule an appointment or discuss a future project. (flowcyt@illinois.edu, 244-0559)

Training Opportunities

Information on user training can be found at:

• University of Illinois Training
  This is a course comprised of two parts. First a Lecture and then hands on training by the facility staff.
  
• On Line Training
  
  BD Biosciences including:
  BD FACSCanto II System Overview
  BD FACSDiva Software Overview
  DNA Cell Cycle Analysis on BD FACSCanto II Cytometers
  Introduction to Flow Cytometry
  
  Molecular Probes:
  Introduction to Flow Cytometry
  Data Analysis

BIOSAFETY RULES FOR FLOW CYTOMETRY USERS

All researchers and their staff must know the potential biohazards associated with their work. The Flow Cytometry Facility is suitable as a BSL-1 (Biological Safety Level 1) laboratory in any facility, and as BSL-2 in Burril Hall Rooms 315 and 348, RAL room 264 and in 231C ERML. BSL-3 work is never permitted. Notify Facility staff if you planning work at a higher level than BSL-1. All users must follow these guidelines:

• No food or drink in the laboratory.
• Self-service users are responsible for removing any trash from the bench areas, as well as cleaning up any spills.
• Facitity staff must be notified if the spill is hazardous. If you need help they will assist you in getting it cleaned up.
• All sample-handling procedures must be done carefully to avoid generating aerosols.
• The use of a lab coat and gloves are required at BSL-2 work. Change gloves immediately if they become contaminated.
• Do not throw any laboratory materials into the regular trash. They may be discarded in our orange biohazard bags, but they must be decontaminated first. If you have biohazardous trash please dispose it properly in your own lab. Samples containing hazardous chemicals (for example, propidium iodide) also must be taken back to your lab and held for pickup by people from Division of Research Safety (http://www.drs.illinois.edu/.).
• NEVER bring any radioactive materials into any of our labs.
• Self-service users must follow the established protocols for decontamination/rinsing of the sample lines within the instruments and must properly dispose of all waste materials after every analysis session.

Flow Cytometry Facility
Barbara Pilas, Ph.D - Director
231 Edward R. Madigan Laboratory, 1201 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 244-0559     FAX: (217) 244-0446      Email: pilas@illinois.edu