BFFC

The Benjamin Franklin Flow Cytometry (BFFC) facility managed by the Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology at the Benjamin Franklin Campus of the Charité University Medical Center provides high-quality technical and scientific services and expertise in multi-parameter high-speed cell sorting (including BSL-2) and cell analysis (up to 20 colors, including UV laser).

The BFFC is open to all scientists of the Charité, the BIH and other academic research institutions. Experienced laboratory staff operates cell sorters, while analysers are operated by researchers. Training can be provided for analytical instruments (BD LSR Fortessa X-20, BD FACS Symphony A3 and 2x BD FACS Canto II).

1) Services

Independent use of the analysers BD LSR Fortessa X20, BD FACS Symphony A3 and BD FACS Canto II after training in the use of the instrument
Instrument instruction and training for the analysis devices
Operator-based cell sorting, including sort verification and sort report
Maintenance and quality control of flow cytometers
Assistance with data analysis
Support and technical advice on flow cytometry experimental design, data presentation and data analysis

The services listed above require acceptance of the Terms of use.

2) Instrumentation

Cell Analysers

To ensure a high data quality, an intensive instrument training is necessary, before each user is using the analysers on its own.

BD LSRFortessa X-20

The LSRFortessa X-20 from Becton Dickinson is a flow cytometer with 5 excitation lasers (355nm UV, 405nm violet, 488nm blue, 561nm yellow-green, 640nm red) for the analysis of cells on single cell level. It can detect up to 18 colors simultaneously and 2 scattered light channels for identification of different cell types.

The optical configuration can be found here.

BD FACS Symphony A3

The FACS Symphony A3 from Becton Dickinson is a flow cytometer with 5 excitation lasers (355nm UV, 405nm violet, 488nm blue, 561nm yellow-green, 640nm red) for the analysis of cells on single cell level. It can detect up to 21 colors simultaneously and 2 scattered light channels for identification of different cell types.

The optical configuration can be found here.

2x BD FACSCanto II

The BD FACS Canto II is equipped with 3 different lasers (405nm violet, 488nm blue, 640nm red) for the analysis of cells on single cell level. It can detect up to 8 colors simultaneously and 2 scattered light channels for identification of different cell types. One BD FACS Canto II is coupled to a High Throughput Sampler (HTS) that allows the acquisition of samples in 96-well plates.

The optical configuration can be found here.

Cell Sorters

BD FACSAria Fusion

The FACSAria Fusion from Becton Dickinson is a cell sorter with 4 excitation lasers (405nm violet, 488nm blue, 561nm yellow-green, 640nm red), 16 fluorescence detectors and 2 scattered light detectors. It can sort 4 different populations at the same time to eppendorfs and 5mL tubes and 2 populations at the same time for 15mL falcons. It can also sort to PCR strips and 6/24/96/384-wells plates (one population at a time) and perform single cell sorting. Surrounded by a sterile workbench, samples of the genetic safety level S2 can also be processed. It comes with 4 nozzles with different sizes (70, 85,100 and 130 µm).

The optical configuration can be found here.

BD FACSJazz

The BD FACSJazz is a cell sorter with 2 excitation lasers (405nm violet and 488nm blue), 6 fluorescence detectors and 2 scattered light detectors. It can sort 2 different populations at the same time to 5mL tubes and 15mL falcons. It can also sort to 6/24/96/384-wells plates (one population at a time) and perform single cell sorting.

The optical configuration can be found here

3) Scheduling

All devices of the Benjamin Franklin Flow Cytometry Facility are booked via the openIRIS booking tool. Prior registration is required. In openIRIS the request for the use of the instruments is made via the menu item Services. After instrument training at the cell analyzer or discussion for variety experiments, the instruments can be booked via the booking calendar in openIRIS. The booking of the cell sorter is based on requests that require confirmation.

The sorters are staff operated only and can be used after prior discussion of experimental needs and technical possibilities.

The cell sorting service is available Mon-Thu 9.30 to 18.00 and Fri 9.30 to 14.30. In exceptional cases also outside these times.