Flow Cytometry

Flow Cytometry Specialist

Dr Guillaume Desanti (g.desanti@bham.ac.uk)

Guillaume joined the Flow Cytometry facility at the end of 2021. He has been awarded a PhD in Immunology (2007), a Master in Immunology (2003) and a Bachelor in Biochemistry by Paris7/Denis Diderot University (France). Over his nineteen years of doctoral and postdoctoral experience, Guillaume used flow cytometry in the research fields of host and pathogen interactions, autoimmune diseases, inflammation, lymphopoiesis and lymphoid tissue development. He has experience in a range of flow cytometry equipment including Beckman Cyan (analyser), Beckman MoFlo Astrios EQ (cell sorter), BD Fortessa X-20 (analyser), BD FACS Aria Fusion (cell sorter) and ThermoFisher Attune NxT (analyser).

Flow Cytometry Specialist

Ferdus Sheik (f.sheik@bham.ac.uk)

Ferdus joined the Flow Cytometry facility in 2022. He has been awarded an BSc in Applied Biomedical Science (2017) from Aston University and an MSc in Clinical Haematology and Transfusion Science (2021) from Manchester Metropolitan University. Originally from a clinical background, Ferdus has gained experience of flow cytometry through the completion of the Scientist Training Programme (STP) in which he established a ‘multi-parameter minimal residual disease panel to monitor chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in patients’ and aided in diagnostic immunophenotyping of haematological malignancies at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust. He has experience in a range of flow cytometry equipment including Beckman Coulter Navios and BD FACSLyric. 

Mass Cytometry Specialist

Dr Shahram Golbabapour (S.Golbabapour@bham.ac.uk)

Shahram joined the Flow Cytometry facility in 2019. He was awarded a PhD in Biotechnology and Biochemistry (2015) from the University of Malaya (Malaysia), a Masters in Biotechnology, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM). Shahram has four years postdoctoral experience and advanced knowledge of a range of flow cytometry equipment (sorter and analysis) including Beckman MoFlo Astrios EQ (sorter), BD FACS Aria (sorter), BD Celesta (analysis), BD Fortessa (analysis) the Helios (CyTOF) Mass Cytometer.

Financial Assistant

James Batten

Email: j.batten@bham.ac.uk 

Research Facilities Manager

Dr Adriana Flores-Langarica (A.FloresLangarica@bham.ac.uk)

Flow Cytometry Academic Lead

Dr David Bending (D.A.Bending@bham.ac.uk)

Deputy Flow Cytometry Academic Lead

Dr William Jenkinson (W.E.Jenkinson@bham.ac.uk)

We provide training and support for users to independently use all our available analysers. Currently our training programmes are divided in two sections. Firstly, the CANVAS Module which can be completed at the user pace and once that is completed we deliver an in person training session at the equipment. If you require training just request it in Stratocore. We deliver sessions regularly.

Once trained, users will initially have ‘novice’ rights in which they can only book within peak hours. After 20 hours experience with the equipment, users will have ‘autonomous’ rights meaning they can book 24/7.

We also organize seminars relevant to our users. Those are advertised locally but you can also follow us on Facebook @ Flowcytometry Bham for further details and news about the Flow Cytometry Platform.

We deliver a full service for cell sorting. Additionally, to support users that their sorting needs are outside working hours we have a program of super-user training. All super-user requests should be submitted to flowcytometry@contacts.bham.ac.uk explaining your need for access after-hours access to the sorter and should include the relevant PI. All requests will be evaluated by our Operations Team.

For Mass Cytometry we deliver a full service where a specialist will start, QC and run your samples, so no training is required. However, we work closely with Standard BioTools to provide support to users from panel design, sample processing and analysis.

Finally, as part of the Midlands Innovation Flow Cytometry Group we deliver an Introduction to Flow Cytometry course aimed to people approaching the technology. The sessions are delivered online and include a theory and a live demonstration in a flow cytometer. These sessions take place once every quarter and are advertised widely.

Online support

• BD Instruction to Flow Cytometry
  
  

Online Tools

• BD Spectrum Viewer
• ThermoFisher SpectraViewer
• Biolegend Spectra Analyzer
• BD Panel Design Tool
• ThermoFisher Flow cytometry Panel Builder
• CyTOF & Helios Support
  
  

Protocols

• ThermoFisher Flow Cytometry Protocols
• BIO-RAD Flow Cytometry Protocols
• Biolegend Flow Cytometry Controls

External users are encouraged to contact us via email in the first instance, however all internal prospective users will need to request an account on the core facilities booking system Stratocore (unless you already have one). Please ensure you use your UoB email address to register your Stratocore account.

As part of your account, you will need a valid finance/grant code. We need this to be able to charge you for your use of the equipment.

You code will either be a project or general ledger. Guidance on finance/grant codes is here:

Project Ledger (Project Finance Number begins with a ‘1’ or ‘2’). Project Ledger codes require 3 components in the format:

General Ledger (Project Finance Number begins with a ‘6’). General Ledgers require 2 components in the format:

If you are unsure about any of your Finance code, contact techubfinance@contacts.bham.ac.uk who will be able to assist you.

Account requests and flow cytometry training requests may be submitted simultaneously. GCP level users are required to submit a new project form through Stratocore before requesting flow cytometry training.

For any Stratocore or finance relation queries please contact techubfinance@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Analysers

BD LSR FORTESSA X-20

The BD LSRFortessa™ X-20 cell analyser delivers high-performance multicolour analysis. The analyser has 5 lasers to detect up to 16 parameters simultaneously to support ever increasing demands in multicolour flow cytometry. The acquisition software is DIVA.

BD LSRFortessa™ X-20

 Fortessa 1, 3 & 4

Beckman Coulter CytoFLEX S

The high-performance CytoFLEX system utilizes three excitation lines with independent, alignment-free focusing optics, simultaneous 13-parameters and two scatter parameters. It has superior sensitivity and resolution for excellent fluorescence and nanoparticle detection.

The instrument also possesses a plate loader module, enabling the acquisition of samples within standard flat-bottom, U-bottom and V-bottom 96-well plates. The acquisition software is CytExpert.

Beckman Coulter CytoFLEX S

Cell Sorter

BD FACSAria™ Fusion

The BD FACSAria™ Fusion flow cytometer delivers exceptional multicolour performance. The fully integrated biosafety cabinet meets emerging operator and sample protection requirements as well as global standards for bio-protection. It has 5 lasers to detect up to 18 parameters simultaneously. It is capable of sorting samples in tubes or plates. With the capacity of 4 way sorting. The acquisition software is DIVA.

BD FACSAria™ Fusion

Mass Cytometer

Helios™ Mass Cytometer - CyTOF®

Helios™, a CyTOF® system, comprises the most recent advances in mass cytometry and is designed to provide a new and improved tool for bioanalytical single-cell detection and analysis. This high-performance mass cytometer, from the CyTOF family of instruments, enables the analysis of more than 40 markers and uniquely allows their quantitative determination with negligible spectral overlap, a result of exquisite resolution between mass detection channels.

Spectral Cytometer

Sony ID7000TM Spectral Cell Analyser

The ID7000™ spectral cell analyser supports high-parameter flow cytometry by delivering comprehensive information about heterogeneous cell populations, with high sensitivity to detect dim and rare populations.

The ID7000 expands the capabilities of cell analysis, as it is configured with 5 lasers. The system enables researchers to perform experiments using 44 colours or more, limited only by the fluorochromes available. Laser choices range from ultraviolet (355 nm) to red (637nm). The system’s detection capability enables expansion of multicolour panels and can keep pace with future fluorochrome development.

The ID7000 spectral cell analyser includes novel features, including the spectral reference library and the autofluorescence finder allowing researchers to identify and subtract contributions to the signal from autofluorescent populations, thus ensuring higher fidelity of data and more accurate visualization.

Spectral technology, easy-to-use software, and automation across the workflow make the ID7000 an excellent fit for facilities looking for a user-friendly, high-performance analyser that will bring their research to the next level.

The University of Birmingham (UoB) is a founding signatory of ‘The Technician Commitment’. A sector wide, collaborative initiative that aims to ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technical staff working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.

The UoB has invested and supports the Technology Hub facilities not only with equipment but also specialist staff. The staff are a key element of our offering since they not only ensure that all equipment is looked after and performing to specification, but they also have a significant experience, and the input and advice is very valuable to our users.

In line with this, the Technology Hub Facilities request that all users of the facilities to recognise its contribution to manuscripts in one of the following ways:

The authors would like to acknowledge the (Facility) at the UoB for support of (technology used) experiments. The authors would like to acknowledge (specialist name).

In some instances, the specialist may make substantial contributions to the conception / design of the work or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for a manuscript. In this case, it is expected that this is appropriately recognised through co-authorship on any publications resulting from the work.

Criteria for inclusion of a specialist as an author on a publication. Where the specialist has either:

• Performed experiments or analysis, the data from which is included in the manuscript.
• Produced customised analysis workflows or scripts for the work.
• Significantly contributed to the design, conception, or interpretation of the experiments.

• CD103+CD11b+ mucosal classical dendritic cells initiate long-term switched antibody responses to flagellin. Flores-Langarica A, Müller Luda K, Persson EK, et al. (2017). Mucosal Immunol. May;11(3):681-692. doi: 10.1038/mi.2017.105. Epub 2017 Dec 20.
• Intestinal CD103+CD11b+ cDC2 Conventional Dendritic Cells Are Required for Primary CD4+ T and B Cell Responses to Soluble Flagellin. Flores-Langarica Adriana, Cook Charlotte, Müller Luda Katarzyna, et al. (2019). Frontiers in Immunology. 9: 2409. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02409.
• Antigen and checkpoint receptor engagement recalibrates T cell receptor signal strength. Thomas, AE., Jennings, E., Lecky, DA., Thawait, N., Flores-Langarica, A., Copland, A., Maslowski, K., Wraith, DC & Bending D. (2021) Immunity. 13;S1074-7613(21)00352-6. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.08.020.

General contacts

• flowcytometry@contacts.bham.ac.uk
  
• cytof@contacts.bham.ac.uk
• techubfinance@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Staff contacts

Research Facilities Manager

Dr Adriana Flores-Langarica (A.FloresLangarica@bham.ac.uk)

Flow Cytometry Academic Lead

Dr Kai-Michael Toellner: k.m.toellner.@bham.ac.uk