Cytometry Shared Resource Lab expands capabilities with new instrument

With the generous financial support of The Office of Research, Cytometry Shared Resource Lab, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, and UGA faculty members Rick Tarleton, Mark Tompkins, Chet Joyner, and Sam Kurup, the CTEGD Cytometry Shared Resource Laboratory (CSRL) recently added the Cytek Aurora Spectral Cytometer to its facility. This new instrument provides a high level of flexibility to the researcher and complements the other instruments available at the facility.

“It’s great to be able to bring this exciting new resource to campus in support of the incredible research UGA members are conducting,” said Julie Nelson, CSRL manager.

Flow cytometry is a technique for measuring characteristics of cells or particles using laser excitation and innate fluorescence emission or emission from dyes added to identify cells or particles and their function in experimental biology.  In the past 30 years, this technology has revolutionized many areas of cell biology research including the study of viruses, bacteria, infectious diseases, and cancer.  This technology has also proven useful in genetic studies of plants.

The Aurora Spectral Cytometer delivers high-resolution data at the single-cell level to resolve the most challenging cell populations, such as cells with high autofluorescence or low levels of expression of key biomarkers, regardless of assay complexity. With 64 emission detectors and 5 lasers for excitation, the Aurora can resolve almost any fluorescent marker currently on the market. It can also evaluate dyes under development that can be excited by one or more of the 5 lasers available.

“This cytometer expands our capabilities from a limit of 24 parameters to 64 making it ideal for high dimensional immunophenotyping,” said Nelson. “But because of its unique spectral emission detection, it is also the best instrument for looking at highly autofluorescent cells, such as macrophages and liver cells, regardless of how many markers are needed for the assay.”

For more than 20 years, the CSRL has provided access to state-of-the-art flow cytometry analyzers to researchers at the University of Georgia and across the scientific community. In addition to the instruments, the facility also provides expert advice and consultation for the design and analysis of flow experiments.

The CSRL is hosting a free webinar on the CYTEK Aurora on Friday, January 28 at 1:00 pm with Christopher Fleming, Ph.D. To register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2294357931236562192