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Cell sorting and Mass Cytometry

The Cell Sorting and Mass Cytometry facility offers researchers analytical flow cytometers and cell sorting, flow and imaging mass cytometry, single cell secretomics and proteomics, as well as cytokine profiling.

The Facility’s next-generation equipment and resources are supported by experienced and knowledgeable technical specialists and renowned academics to help you make the most of your data.

What you'll receive from our facility

  • Our facility enables state-of-the-art Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) and Flow Cytometry through instruments that support all commonly used fluorophores and applications
  • The ground-breaking Helios mass cytometer combines flow Cytometry with Time-Of-Flight (CyTOF) mass spectrometry to allow multi-dimensional analysis of cell populations at single cell resolution
  • Our facility staff are available to share their expertise in: conventional flow and mass cytometry, as well as in the use of the other instruments available in the facility
  • We are also able to offer support in: Planning and study design; grant applications (preliminary data analysis, figure preparation, method development, data management planning and costings); analysis including method development, Data acquisition, associated software training and support and dissemination including outreach and stakeholder support, manuscript preparation and data deposition
  • Training is available including 1-to-1 hands-on at our facility or through a visit to the recipient laboratory. There is also online training, group training or face to face workshops and pre-recorded training.

The equipment we offer includes:

  • BD-FACSAria IIIu Cell Sorter
  • BD-FACSCanto II Flow Cytometer
  • BD-Fortessa LSR Flow Cytometer
  • Thermo Fisher Attune NxT flow cytometer
  • Standard BioToolsHelios Mass Cytometer
  • Hyperion Imaging System
  • PhenomeX  Isospark Functional Proteomics Hub
  • Mesoscale QuickPlex SQ120 Multiplex Imager.

Who can use our facilities

  • University of Liverpool academic staff
  • Researchers from other universities
  • Industrial research partners.

What Cell Sorting and Mass Cytometry can be used for

Analytical flow cytometry is a mainstay of research in a diversity of disciplines including immunology, haematology, stem cell biology, yeast and bacterial studies, as well as analysis of engineered synthetic particles.

Such analysis is enhanced by mass cytometry which offers analysis of up to 50 different parameters for exquisite resolution of single cells within populations that are either in suspension or within tissues. Ability to sort and recover up to 4 distinct populations of cells, or sort cells into 96- or 384-well plates, allows for subcloning of genetically manipulated cells, isolation of cell types for bulk and/or single cell RNAseq, as well as other purposes as required.

Finally, we can offer access to instruments that will profile cytokines within fluids, or at single cell resolution for discovery studies.

Booking our facilities

Booking duration and rates for facilities and equipment can be flexible depending on your research needs.

Please email us on tdfacs@liverpool.ac.uk to discuss your research.

Equipment and/or techniques

FACSAria III cell sorter

The FACSAria IIIu is a workhorse cell sorter equipped with 5 lasers [UV (355nm), Violet (405nm), Blue (488nm), Yellow/Green (561nm) and Red (633nm)] and can detect up to 15 parameters.

FACSCanto II flow cytometer

The BD-FACSCanto II flow cytometer is a system typically used in clinical settings due to its robust and reliable nature.

Attune NxT flow cytometer

The Attune Nxt flow cytometer uses acoustic instead of hydrodynamic focusing as a technology to increase flow rates without loss of resolution.

FortessaLSR Flow Cytometer

The BD-FortessaLSR is an advanced analytical flow cytometer configured with 5 lasers to detect up to 18 colours.

Helios Mass Cytometer

The Helios mass cytometer combines flow Cytometry with Time-Of-Flight mass spectrometry and this thus abbreviated CyTOF. This instrument is designed to detect heavy metal-coupled reagents that have been used to label cells. This instrument can effectively measure up to 50 parameters, giving it exquisite ability to identify and characterise phenotypes of individual cells within populations. In Liverpool we have developed Proximity Ligand AssaY for Rna (PLAYR) for multiplex analysis of RNA (mRNA and lncRNA) to provide additional insight into gene expression within individual cells.

Hyperion Imaging System

The Hyperison Imaging System is a “plug-in” for the Helios mass cytometer, bringing similar resolution to the analysis of cells within tissues. At the University of Liverpool we have adapted PLAYR for use with FFPE-preserved tissues, thereby allowing spatiotemporal understanding of RNA expression.

Isospark

The Isopark is a functional proteomic analyser capable of performing studies on single cells from humans and mice. It can be used to profile intracellular signalling within and cytokine release from single cells, or to profile the secretome of cultured cells.

QuickPlex SQ120

The QuickPlex is a profiling instrument able to provide rapid, convenient and reliable measurement of single or multiple targets within small volume samples.

Our experts

Professor Joseph Slupsky

Professor

An image with a nacy blue background and a white version of the University of Liverpool shield in the middle

Dr Christopher Law

Technical supervisor