Sorting

Cell Sorting or FACS (Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting) can be used to isolate high purity fractions of cells in suspension. The cell sorter combines multi-parameter flow cytometry with the ability to sort individual cells into several distinct populations. Sterile, functional cells are collected and can be returned to culture, utilized in functional assays or further characterized through genomic, proteomic or similar analysis. Up to 4 populations, defined by Boolean gates, can be sorted simultaneously. Alternatively, a single population can be deposited directly into a variety of cell culture plate formats (e.g., 96-well plates). The number of cells/well can be specified for each well, facilitating cloning, single cell experiments or limiting dilution experiments, where graded numbers of cells are plated.

High speed sorting allows for the processing of large samples, as millions of cells can be sorted in a very short amount of time. Cells can be sorted to optimize purity or recovery. For information concerning sorting of potentially biohazardous samples, please see the BSL2+ Safety Manual.

Two sorters are available: the Beckman Coulter MoFlo Astrios and the Sony MA900. The Astrios offers staff-operated, high-speed sorting during working hours. The MA900 allows for user-operated, 24/7 access to sorting.

How Long Will It Take Me to Sort?

Calculation for the 70 micron nozzle (lymphs, PBMC, bone marrow, yeast):
Nominal maximum throughput (70µm) = 20-25,000 events/second ~72 - 90(10)6 events/hour
Net throughput (corrected for normal recovery/yield estimates) = 70% ~50–63(10)6 events/hour
Estimated throughput = 50(10)6cells/hour (50 million cells per hour that can be run through the machine)
For most cell lines, a 100 micron nozzle is needed, which reduces throughput by at least 70% – adjust calculation accordingly.

Collection rate, 70µm (maximum) = (viability) x (expression) x 50(10)6 events/hour

EXAMPLE:
Attempting to sort out a sub-population (5%) from your cell line.
The number of cells you can provide is unlimited, and the viability is 90%.
A pure, sorted population of at least 5(10)6 cells needs to be recovered. Given the estimated sorting capabilities (see the calculation above), estimate sorting time as follows:

Collection rate (maximum) = 0.9 (viability 90%) x 0.05 (expression 5%) x 50(10)6 events/hour = (0.9) x (0.05) x 50 million cells/hour = (.045) x 50(10)6 = 2.25(10)6 = 2,250,000 per hour.
100 micron nozzle reduces by at least 70% - adjust calculation accordingly.

Recovery of 5(10)6 total =[5(10)6 ÷ 2.25(10)6] = 2.22 hours of sorting, at minimum. Add an additional 45 minutes to sorting time to set up the machine.
However, please assume that something might go wrong, and you will need twice the number of cells, and it will take twice as long.

REMEMBER: 4 SEPARATE POPULATIONS CAN BE COLLECTED AT THE SAME TIME.

FOR ANY SORT, YOU WILL NEED TO BRING THE FOLLOWING:

1. Control(s):

  • Negative control
  • Compensation controls if needed

(If you have any questions about appropriate controls, please ask your friendly flow cytometry technician.)

2. Sort sample(s):

Bring controls and samples in 12 x 75 mm sterile; snap-cap; POLYPROPYLENE tubes, with no more than 5% serum.

The control(s) only needs to be 300 uL final volume, with at least 300,000 cells. Sample should be re-suspended at a concentration on 30-40(10)6 cells/ml.

3. Collection tubes (4 separate populations can be collected at the same time):

For each tube for collecting sorted cells, fill the tube ¼ full with 50% serum/media. You may use either 12x75mm tubes or 15 ml tubes.
(12x75mm tubes are needed for 4-way sorting - fill the tube ¼ full with 50% serum/media.)

Cells to be collected exit the machine at a concentration of ~1,000,000 cells/ml using the 70 micron nozzle; 500,000 cell/ml using the 100 micron nozzle. You can now calculate how many collection tubes you will need for each population collected. (Example: For 70µm nozzle, you place 4ml media/serum in the bottom of a 15ml tube, leaving 11 ml empty volume for collecting cells = 11ml x 1,000,000 cells/ml = 11(10)6that may be collected in that tube.)

Following the Sort
For maximum recovery, fill collection tubes to the top and let sit 30 minutes before spinning them down.

Special User Guidelines for the MoFlo High Speed Sorter

First time users or experienced users with a new project should contact Cytometry Facility staff before setting up an appointment.

Beckman Coulter MoFlo Astrios

Beckman Coulter MoFlo Astrios High Speed Sorter

The Beckman Coulter MoFlo Astrios is a 5-laser, high-speed (10,000-20,000 cells/second) sorter capable of 6-way sorting, plate deposition, and single cell sorting. Biocontainment in a custom designed Class II Baker cabinet permits sorting of live human and retrovirus-transfected cells. The sorter can be configured to suit various excitation and/or emission needs.

View fluorochromes for the MoFlo Astrios

Design panels for the MoFlo Astrios with FluoroFinder

Special User Guidelines for the MoFlo Astrios High Speed Sorter

First time users or experienced users with a new project should contact Cytometry Facility staff before setting up an appointment.

Sample Requirements

  • All samples must be in single cell suspension. Cells should be filtered through a <70 μm nylon mesh filter to prevent clogging the nozzle if the cell size is less than 70 μm.
  • Sample may contain 1-3% FCS, or <=0.2% BSA.
  • Cell concentration ideally should be at least 1x107 cells/mL and can be up to 5x107 cells/mL for non-adherent cells (low cell concentrations slow down sorting).
  • Samples can be in a variety of tubes; ask the staff if you are unsure whether or not your choice is appropriate.
  • For the purpose of compensation for multicolor analysis or sorting, you must bring an unstained control tube plus single color stained tubes for each fluorochrome (>5% positive). Ask us about using IgG capture beads (BD CompBeads, Cat # 552843) instead of cells for single stained controls.
  • No radioactive material. The facility does accept unfixed human or non-human primate lentivirus-transfected cells, but investigators must meet with and discuss these experiments with facility staff. Please make an appointment if you need to perform a biohazardous sort.
  • Collection container (user supplies one of following options):
    • Tubes: 12 x 75mm, 1.5ml, 15ml or 50ml.
    • Plates: n=6, 12, 24, 96 (include PCR plate), 384 well or custom size.
    • Trays/dishes or slides.
  • Fill collection container (~10% of volume) with desired collection medium.
  • If collecting cells for molecular work, please contact Cytometry Facility staff to discuss collection conditions to optimize your recovery.

Sony MA900 Cell Sorter

The Sony MA900 is a 4-laser, multi-application (5,000 cells/second) sorter capable of 4-way sorting and plate dispositionThe Sony MA900 is a 4-laser, multi-application (5,000 cells/second) sorter capable of 4-way sorting and plate disposition. This sorter features a highly automated setup procedure and disposable micro fluidic chip design to allow for 24/7 sorting access for trained and capable users. Biocontainment in a custom designed Class II Baker cabinet permits sorting of live human and retrovirus-transfected cells.

Special User Guidelines for the Sony MA900 sorter

First time users or experienced users with a new project should contact Cytometry Facility staff before setting up an appointment.

  • All samples must be in single cell suspension. Cells should be filtered through a <70µm nylon mesh filter to prevent clogging the nozzle if the cell size is less than 70µm.
  • Sample may contain 1-3% FCS, or <=0.2% BSA.
  • Cell concentration ideally should be at 1x107 cells/mL and up to 2x107 maximum.
  • Samples can be in a variety of tubes; ask the staff if you are unsure whether or not your choice is appropriate.
  • For the purpose of multicolor sorting, it is highly recommended you bring an unstained control tube, plus single-color stained tubes, for each fluorochrome.
  • No radioactive material. The facility does accept unfixed human or non-human primate lentivirus-transfected cells, but investigators must meet with and discuss these experiments with facility staff. Please contact Cytometry Facility staff if you need to perform a biohazardous sort.
  • Collection container (user supplies one of the following options):
    • Tubes: 12 x 75mm, 1.5mL, 15mL
    • Plates: 96 well or 384 well
  • Fill collection container (~10% of volume) with desired collection medium.
  • If collecting for molecular works, please contact Cytometry Facility staff to discuss collection conditions to optimize your recovery.