Equipment

The Beckman Coulter CytoFLEX LX is a cutting-edge flow cytometry tool that combines high sensitivity, a broad detection range, and flexibility in sample handling. Whether you're working on complex research or clinical analysis, this system provides reliable and accurate results with minimal hands-on time. For researchers seeking detailed, multi-parameter analysis, the CytoFLEX LX is the ideal choice.

Key features

Laser system

The CytoFLEX LX is equipped with four solid-state lasers to provide powerful excitation across multiple wavelengths:

• 405nm violet laser (80mW)
• 488nm blue laser (50mW)
• 561nm yellow/green laser (30mW)
• 640nm red laser (50mW)

Detection parameters

The system offers a range of 19 detection parameters for comprehensive analysis:

1. 405nm laser: five fluorescent detectors
2. 488nm laser: three fluorescent detectors
3. 561nm laser: five fluorescent detectors
4. 640nm laser: three fluorescent detectors
5. Forward and side scatter from blue and violet lasers (detecting physical properties of particles)

Sample handling

• Semi-automatic single tube loader for 12 x 75mm or 1.2ml tubes
• 96-well plate loader compatible with u-bottom, flat bottom, and v-bottom plates
• Volumetric measurements for continuous flow, enabling particle enumeration without beads

Acquisition and analysis software

The CytExpert software provides powerful analysis tools for detailed, accurate results.

Fluorochrome detection

The CytoFLEX LX can detect a wide range of fluorochromes, thanks to its precisely tuned bandpass filters. Here's a summary of the available detection ranges for various fluorochromes:

1. Violet (405nm) laser:
   • Pacific blue, DAPI, BV421, eFluor450
   • V500, BV510, AmCyan
   • BV605, BV650, BV785
2. Blue (488nm) laser:
   • FITC, Alexa488, CFSE
   • PE-Texas red, PI, GFP
   • PerCP/PerCP-Cy5.5
3. Yellow/green (561nm) laser:
   • PE, dsRed, PI
   • mCherry, ECD, PE-CF594
   • PE-Cy5, PerCP
4. Red (640nm) laser:
   • APC, Alexa647, Cy5
   • APC-Cy7, APC-eFluor780

Advanced sensitivity

The instrument's avalanche photodiode detectors ensure high sensitivity and resolution, even at low levels of fluorescence.

The EVOS Cell Imaging System offers a flexible, easy-to-use platform for fluorescence microscopy, with features that help streamline your imaging workflow while preserving the viability of your cells. Its wide range of objective lenses, multi-colour imaging capabilities, and compatibility with various sample formats make it a valuable tool for researchers looking for reliable and efficient imaging solutions.

Key features

Light source

• LED light: Provides consistent and bright illumination for a variety of fluorophores, offering long-lasting, stable performance.

Objectives

• 4x, 10x, 20x objectives: Flexible magnification options for a range of imaging needs, from broader views to high-resolution detailed imaging.

Stage accommodation

• Compatible with:
  • Regular glass or plastic slides
  • Chamber slides
  • Multi-well tissue culture plates
  • Tissue culture dishes of varying diameters

Channels

• FITC, GFP, Alexa488: For green fluorescence imaging
• Cy3, Rhodamine, Alexa555/568/594: For red fluorescence imaging
• Cy5, APC, Alexa647: For far-red fluorescence imaging
• DAPI: For blue fluorescence (nuclear imaging)
• Bright field: For imaging samples without fluorescence

The FACSAria-III is an essential tool for researchers who need precise, high-throughput cell sorting with multiple parameters and fluorescence detection. Whether isolating rare cell populations or sorting complex samples, this system provides the flexibility, safety, and performance required for cutting-edge research. With advanced features such as aerosol management, biosafety containment, and multiple sorting options, it is the ideal choice for a wide range of cell biology applications.

Key features

Lasers

The FACSAria-III system is equipped with three lasers for fluorescence detection:

• 488nm blue laser: For a wide range of fluorophores, including FITC, GFP, and Alexa488.
• 633nm HeNe red laser: Provides sensitive detection for red fluorescent proteins, including APC, Alexa647, and Cy5.
• 405nm violet laser: Enables detection of UV-excitable fluorophores like Pacific Blue, DAPI, and BrilliantViolet dyes.

Nozzle sizes

• 70, 85, and 100 microns: These nozzles accommodate most cell types, providing flexibility for sorting a wide range of sample sizes.

Sample sorting

• Sort samples at a single-cell level with precise control over temperature and agitation.
• Sort into various containers, including:
  • 15mL centrifuge tubes
  • 1.0mL microtubes
  • Multi-well plates
  • Microscope slides

Aerosol Management Option (AMO)

• A safety feature that traps aerosolized particles, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring safe operation in high-risk experiments.

Bio-safety containment

• The FACSAria-III system is housed in a Class-II Type A2 biosafety cabinet, ensuring that your samples remain sterile during the sorting process.

Fluorescent detection channels

The FACSAria-III can detect up to 17 parameters using 15 different fluorochromes. These are distributed across the three lasers and multiple detection channels, allowing for complex multi-parameter analysis. Here’s a breakdown of the detection ranges and fluorochromes:

• Blue (488nm) laser:
  • 515-545: FITC, GFP, Alexa488
  • 564-606: PE, dsRed
  • 610-627: PE-Texas Red, PI
  • 655-685: PerCP, PE-Cy5, 7-AAD
  • 685-715: PE-Cy5.5, PerCP-Cy5.5
  • 750-810: PE-Cy7, PE-Alexa750
• Red (633nm) laser:
  • 650-670: APC, Alexa647, Cy5
  • 708-752: Alexa700
  • 750-810: APC-Cy7, APC-H7
• Violet (405nm) laser:
  • 430-470: Pacific Blue, DAPI, BV421
  • 502-545: AmCyan, CFP, V500, BV510
  • 550-570: BrilliantViolet570
  • 578-592: BrilliantViolet605
  • 650-670: BrilliantViolet650
  • 685-735: BrilliantViolet711

The FACSCanto II is ideal for researchers looking for efficiency and precision. Its semi-automatic loading system minimizes operator intervention, saving time and reducing potential errors. With its three lasers and a wide range of fluorescence detection options, it supports a variety of experiments requiring multiple parameters. The system is designed to handle a large volume of samples, making it a valuable tool for both routine and complex analyses.

Key features

Sample handling

• Semi-automatic single tube loading with 12 x 75 mm tubes
• Can automatically load up to 40 tubes without operator intervention

Lasers

• 488nm Solid State blue laser (OmW)
• 633nm HeNe red laser (7mW)
• 405nm Solid State violet laser (OmW)

Detection parameters

• 10 parameters total:
  • 1-4: Four fluorescent detectors off the 488nm laser
  • 5-6: Two fluorescent detectors off the 633nm laser
  • 7-8: Two fluorescent parameters off the 405nm laser
  • 9: Forward scatter
  • 10: Side scatter

Fluorochrome and filter details

The FACSCanto II offers various filter and mirror options for a wide range of fluorochromes. Here are some of the key channels:

• Blue (488nm)
  • FITC, GFP, Alexa488 (515-545)
  • PE, dsRed (564-606)
  • PerCP, PE-Cy5.5, PI, 7-AAD (≥670)
  • PE-Cy7 (750-810)
• Red (633nm)
  • APC, Alexa647, Cy5 (650-670)
  • APC-Cy7, APC-H7 (750-810)
• Violet (405nm)
  • Pacific Blue, DAPI, V450, BV421 (425-475)
  • AmCyan, V500, BV510 (502-535)

Software

The FACSCanto II uses FACSDiva acquisition and analysis software, which enables easy setup, data collection, and analysis for efficient workflows.

Notes

• Longpass filter detection range: e.g., 502LP—wavelength longer than 502nm will be allowed to pass through.
• Bandpass filter detection range: e.g., 530/30 = 530nm ± (30/2)nm = 530nm ± 15nm = from 515nm to 545nm.

The Fortessa is perfect for researchers needing detailed multicolour analysis, capable of detecting up to 18 fluorescent parameters. Its high-throughput sampler unit speeds up sample acquisition in multi-well plates, while flexible sample handling options save time. Equipped with five lasers (blue, red, violet, yellow-green, and UV), it supports a wide range of fluorochromes and applications, offering versatility and efficiency for complex experiments.

Key features

Sample handling

• Semi-automatic single tube loading with 12 x 75 mm or 1.2 mL tubes
• High throughput sampler unit for multi-well plates, available in standard and high-throughput modes

Lasers

The Fortessa is equipped with five solid-state lasers to enable broad spectrum fluorescence detection:

• 50mW 488nm solid state blue laser
• 40mW 633nm solid state red laser
• 50mW 405nm solid state violet laser
• 50mW 561nm solid state yellow-green laser
• 20mW 355nm solid state UV laser

Detection parameters

• Blue laser (488nm): Detects up to 2 fluorescent parameters
• Red laser (640nm): Detects up to 3 fluorescent parameters
• Violet laser (405nm): Detects up to 6 fluorescent parameters
• Yellow-green laser (561nm): Detects up to 4 fluorescent parameters
• UV laser (355nm): Detects up to 3 fluorescent parameters
• Forward scatter (FSC) and side scatter (SSC) for cell size and granularity analysis

Fluorochrome and filter details

Each laser has specific filters to detect a wide range of fluorochromes:

• Blue (488nm):
  • FITC, GFP, Alexa488
  • PerCP-Cy5.5
• Red (640nm):
  • APC, Alexa647, Cy5
  • Alexa700, APC-Cy7
• Violet (405nm):
  • Pacific Blue, DAPI, V450, BV421
  • AmCyan, CFP, V500, BV510
• Yellow-Green (561nm):
  • PE, PE-Texas Red, PE-Cy5, PE-Cy7
• UV (355nm):
  • BUV395, BUV496, BUV737

Software

The Fortessa uses FACSDiva software for acquisition and analysis, offering an intuitive platform for data collection, visualization, and analysis.

Notes

• Longpass filter detection range: A filter like 502LP allows wavelengths longer than 502nm to pass through.
• Bandpass filter detection range: A filter like 530/30 detects wavelengths within 530nm ± 15nm (515-545nm).

The Zeiss CSU-X1M provides high-quality imaging with a dual-camera system that enables simultaneous acquisition of multiple fluorescent channels, making it ideal for experiments involving complex multi-colour imaging. With its advanced optical configurations and capability for z-stacking, tiles, FRAP, and TIRF, it is suited for a variety of dynamic biological applications. The system's flexibility in sample handling and live-cell imaging ensures reliable and consistent results across a wide range of experiments.

Key features

Advanced imaging capabilities

• Dual-camera system: Simultaneously acquire images of GFP and RFP for multi-channel fluorescence imaging.
• Z-stacking, tiling, FRAP, and TIRF: Perform advanced imaging techniques to study cellular structures and dynamics in greater detail.

Versatile sample handling

• Supports multiple sample types: Accommodates regular glass or plastic slides, as well as chamber slides for live cell imaging.
• Stage heating system and CO2 connection: Ensure optimal conditions for live cell imaging, maintaining cell health throughout the imaging process.

Powerful optical system

• Four lasers: 405nm (violet), 488nm (blue), 531/561nm (yellow/green), and 639nm (red) to support a wide range of fluorochromes.
• Objectives: Includes 10x (air), 20x (air), 40x (water immersion), and 63x (oil immersion) objectives for varying levels of magnification and resolution.

Fluorescence and filter options

• Multiple filter configurations: Choose from a variety of filters for optimal excitation and emission for specific fluorochromes, including GFP, Alexa488, Alexa647, and more.