Center for Reproductive Biology

Flow Cytometry and Cell Analysis Core

Director: William C. Davis

Contact Information
Director: William C. Davis, 335-6051, davisw@vetmed.wsu.edu
Technician: Amanda Grimm, 335-6058, alg@vetmed.wsu.edu

Outline of Services
Flow Cytometry Core Facility users are charged an hourly fee for the use of the flow cytometers. Non CRB members are charged $60/hr for use of the FACSort and FACS Calibur, with charges incrementing on the quarter hour. The charge for CRB members is $30/hr, with charges incrementing on the quarter hour.
The rate for use of the FACS Vantage for non CRB members is $120 for sorts taking up to one hour and $60/hr thereafter. Charges are incremented on the quarter hour for sorts taking longer than one hour. The charge for CRB members is $80 for sorts taking up to one hour and $40/hr thereafter. Charges are incremented, on the quarter hour for sorts taking longer than one hour.

Current Flow Cytometry Core Facility: Housed in the Animal Disease Biotechnology Facility (ADBF) Room 4075, the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine operates this facility, which currently has two analytical flow cytometers (FACS Calibur and FACSort) and one flow cytometer with sorting capability (FACS Vantage SE with fiber optics and Diva software operating system).
• The FACS Calibur and FACSort have two lasers and can analyze cells based on 6 separate parameters (side and forward light scatter, and detectors for 4 different fluorescent colors).
• The FACS Vantage SE is a high-speed cell sorter. It has two lasers and can analyze and sort based on 8 separate parameters (side and forward scatter and detectors for 6 different fluorescent colors). The FACS Vantage can simultaneously sort up to four populations of cells. It is also possible to sort one or more cells into 6, 24, and 96 well tissue culture plates.
• There is a central data analysis software program (FCS Express) on the departmental network that can be accessed by signing up for its use.

Technical Support and Training: Technical support is available to users of this facility. The FACS Calibur and FACSsort are user-friendly flow cytometers that can be used by students, staff, and faculty without technical assistance after learning how to operate them. Technical and operations support will be provided to CRB members who wish to use the flow cytometers. Training will be provided to CRB members who will require more than occasional use of these machines. The FACS Vantage requires technical assistance at all times. Arrangements have to be made to schedule use of the cell sorter. Training in the use of the sorter will be provided to a designated technician or graduate student in laboratories requiring long-term heavy use of the sorter.

Access: Authorized individuals have access to the core facility at all times during the week and weekends. Frequent users can obtain key badges. Also, a key to the room is available in Dr. Davis' laboratory for occasional users of the facility (Bustad Hall Rm 324). Users need to reserve the time they will be using the flow cytometers. Call Dr. Davis' laboratory, 335-6058, to reserve time on the flow cytometers.

Center for Reproductive Biology, PO Box 647521, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-7521, 509-335-2473, Contact Us