Flow Cytometry Training

We provide access to cell sorters, analyzers, and particle counters. Researchers may be trained to independently use our analyzers and particle counters. Sorting services are provided by the core staff on our FACSAria, FACSAria Fusion, MoFlo Astrios and MoFloXDP instruments. Researchers requiring frequent sorting or need after-hours and weekend sorting can be trained to run the FACSAria and FACSAria Fusion sorters for themselves.

Contact the Flow Cytometry Core

For inquiries about a new sorting projects or to be trained on our instruments, please email the Flow Core Staff.

Training Policies

Retraining Policy

If researchers have not used the core facility in over six months, then retraining may be required to regain access. The researcher must provide current billing information and schedule a training session with core staff.

Cell Analyzer Training

The Symphony and Fortessa cell analyzers are open to all researchers for training. Once a thirty-three-digit billing code or a purchase order is provided, flow core staff will schedule a training session. Two webinar based sessions are required followed by a hands-on guided session. The first hour of the training involves taking the 'Intro to Flow Cytometry' webinar, which is offered at 10 am every other Thursday morning (send an email to jeffnelson@fas.harvard.edu for zoom link info). The second webinar ('Demo-BD Analyzer') is Thursday afternoon at 2pm. Following these two webinars is a guided hands-on training session, which will be scheduled at your availability (send an email to jeffnelson@fas.harvard.edu to schedule). After completing the hands-on training session, twenty-four-hour access will be given to both core facility BD cell analyzers.

If a 96 or 384 well plate will be used, an additional training session is available for the high throughput sampler (HTS) attachment. Cell analyzer training is required before attending the HTS training session. This HTS training session takes about a half hour to complete.

Researchers interested in using the Aurora spectral analyzer need to attend the 'Aurora Spectral Analyzer' webinar (Thursday at 11:30am) and 'Demo-Aurora Spectral Analyzer' webinar (Thursday at 3:30pm) after they attend the 'Intro to Flow Cytometry' webinar. Following these three webinars is a hands-on training session, which will be scheduled at your availability (send an email to jeffnelson@fas.harvard.edu to schedule).

FACS Aria Training

Researchers interested in sorting their cells can attend the FACS Aria cell sorter training session. Researchers must attend the cell analyzer training session before being allowed to train on the FACS Aria. If the researcher meets the prerequisites and provides billing information, they can attend the six-hour FACS Aria training session. Once trained, the researcher must prove proficiency by starting up the instrument, performing sorts, and shutting down the instrument before being given after-hour sorting access.

Researchers that have attended the week-long training provided by Becton Dickinson for the FACS Aria can waive the training session if they can provide their training certificate and prove that they have been regularly sorting on the instrument at another facility.

Researchers trained for self-run use on the FACS Aria by another core facility can attend a half training session (three hours) and gain access to the self-run calendar if staff are satisfied with their proficiency. If more training is necessary, the researcher must attend the full six-hour training session. The researcher will also be required to prove proficiency by starting up the instrument, performing sorts, and instrument shutdown to gain after-hour sorting access.