A cell sorter, an instrument which analyses separate single particles or cells at high speed for a specific fluorescent signal, can separate these particles, based on predetermined criteria. The cells can be collected for further culturing purposes or further downstream analysis.
The BD FACS Aria Flow Cytometer, comprises of 13 colours plus FSC and SSC as well as a cell sorting module. The BD FACS Aria Flow Cytometer and Cell Sorter is capable of sorting 4 populations simultaneously . The instrument has a digital platform flow cytometer with intergrated software (FACSDiVa version 6). Furthermore, it has three lasers:
The LSRII has allowed our researchers to perform multiparameter flow cytometry, keeping us competitive in the field and allowing us to obtain new data and information from patient samples. This equipment was secured at a particularly opportune times as data began to emerge that a single marker (such as production of interferon gamma) of immune responses in HIV-1 specific T cells is inadequate in defining protective immune responses in HIV-1 infection. The LSRII has allowed us to extend the scope of our work to assess other markers that may be associated with a protective immune response.
The BACTEC MGIT 960TB System is the mycobacteria testing instruments from Becton Dickinson (BD). The BACTEC 960 instrument is an automated system that exploits the fluorescence of an oxygen sensor to detect growth of mycobacteria in culture. It is specially designed to accommodate Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) and incubate them at 37∞C. The instrument scans the MGIT every 60 minutes for increased fluorescence. Analysis of the fluorescence is used to determine if the tube is instrument positive; i.e., the test sample contains viable organisms.
The BACTEC Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) 960 System is the mycobacteria testing instruments; it is an automated system that exploits the fluorescence of an oxygen sensor to detect growth of mycobacteria in culture. It is specially designed to accommodate Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) and incubate them at 37°C.
The BD FACSAria cell sorter sets a new standard for high- performance flow cytometry. Based on an entirely new design in instrumentation, the BD FACSAria instrument is the first benchtop sorter that incorporates a fixed-alignment cuvette flow cell that can detect up to 13 colors, for a total of 15 parameters. The cuvette flow cell allows for up to three air- cooled or solid state lasers at 488 nm, 633 nm, and 405 nm. Faster digital electronics allow for acquisition rates of up to 70,000 events per second.
