Analyzers 

SORP 5-Laser BD LSRFortessa & SORP 5-Laser BD LSRFortessa X-20 - CHART of BD configurations

5-Laser Cytek Aurora with Plate Loader- CHART of Aurora configuration

 Service Information

Analysis

  Helios PC (Windows 10) - Kaluza Software

  Aria II PC (Windows 10) - Kaluza Software

Cell Sorters

 SORP 5 Laser BD FACSAria Fusion Cell Sorter, BSL2+  Bio-hood - CHART of BD FACS configurations

 3 Laser BD FACSMelody Cell Sorter, BSL2+ Bio-hood- CHART of BD FACS configurations

Analyzer Information

The core is now offering Operator Analyzer runs. If you are interested please fill out the following With Operator Form. For those interested in self-service.YOU MUST HAVE TRAINING WITH FLOW CORE STAFF BEFORE SELF-ANALYZING. Even if you have used these instruments at a prior institution. For   independent analysis please use the “Schedule” link to book   analyzer time. Please note it is policy that all users book under   their name! The Core will now be offering analysis training in both Flow Jo & Kaluza. For more information   please reach out to flow core staff.

Sort Appointments Information:

 First-time users should email staff before using the sort request  form. Please note the "Schedule" tab DOES NOT  REPRESENT FUTURE SORTING APPOINTMENTS. All sort  appointments must go through CNY Flow Core staff. All sort appointments will be scheduled on a "first come, first served" basis and users who fill out the request form will get preference over users who just email. FACS Sample Drop Off Sheet & Sort Request Form 

Basics

Introduction & Basics Guide BioRad

How Cytometers Work Thermo

Aurora Specific

Reference Controls

Spillover Errors

Spectral Viewer

Biolegend 

Cytek

Core Policy and Guidelines

PLEASE NOTE ANY USER OF THE CNY FLOW CORE IS UPHELD BY THE FOLLOWING POLICIES. MGH PATHOLOGY: FLOW CYTOMETRY CORE (CNY) HAS THE RIGHT TO UPDATE ANY POLICY.

Analyzer & Sorting Policies

• Analyzer Cancellation/Modification: Please email Flow Core staff to CANCEL or MODIFY your analysis appointment within 24hrs. No-Shows will be charged
• Sorting Cancellation: Sorting appointments must be canceled at least five business days in advance to avoid incurring the full fee unless the user can find someone to replace the booking.  
• Analyzer Startup: The first user of the day is responsible for instrument startup and warm-up period before running. They should arrive earlier than the schedule booking. Warm-up times are as follows. BD LSRFortessa: 15 minutes in advance and Cytek Aurora: 30 minutes in advance
• Analyzer Scheduling: All users must book under their name via the scheduling tab. Only reservations booked via the schedule tab allow the use of equipment. Scheduling Update - Effective immediately, users who utilize an outside non-flow core flow cytometer will have to be re-trained if they go over 2 months without using a flow core instrument. From the experience of the flow core, users who do not utilize the analyzers for about 2 months forget basic skills, policies, and procedures ultimately leading to an increase in misuse of the instruments. The required compulsory training session will be between one to two hours, based upon the discretion of the core staff at $250.00/ hour, to review cytometer skills and procedures. 
• Analyzer Data: All users are responsible for their own data and it is highly recommended that files are backed up after every run. The core is not responsible for lost data due to a computer crash or other issue. All files and experiment templates older than one month will be deleted and removed from the computers. Very large files (containing over a million events) should be deleted after every run, as their storage fills up the program slows down. All files for users who have been inactive for over a year will be deleted.

Aurora Specific:

• Cytek Aurora Unmixing: Users are expected to unmix their data during their scheduled appointment. However, we acknowledge it might not always be possible. It is the user’s responsibility to find a time when no one is scheduled on the analyzer to unmix their experiment. Furthermore, this should not be done within peak operation hours(9am-6pm). DO NOT turn on instrument for unmixing. Any appointments scheduled for unmixing or if the instrument is turned on will be charged. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS.

• Analyzer Tardiness(Training Session): If you are running late for a training session, you must contact the Flow Core Staff Members. If you are beyond 15 minutes late, the training session will be cancelled with the full charge.
• Sorting Tardiness: If you are running late for sorting, you must contact the Flow Core Staff Members. If you are beyond 15 minutes late, your appointment may be subject to cancellation with the full charge. 
• Analyzer Shutdown: The last user of the day is responsible for shutting down the computer and machine, to avoid leaving the lasers on overnight – double check on the schedule whether you are the last user before you leave! Instruments left on overnight will have the time charged to the last user as if they ran overnight.
• Analyzer Data Retrieval: Users are expected to export their data during their scheduled appointment. However, we acknowledge it might not always be possible. It is the user’s responsibility to find a time when no one is scheduled on the analyzer to quickly export their data. Furthermore, this should not be done within peak operation hours(9am-6pm). DO NOT turn on instrument for exporting data. Any appointments scheduled for data export or if the instrument is turned on will be charged. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS.   
• Soritng Data: Users will get all data via onedrive. NO USBS.
• Sorting Scheduling: Sort times will only be accepted through the sort request form. It will not appear in the Flow Core calendar but a confirmation email will be sent. Maximum time per sort appointment is 4 hours and only 4 sorts per user in a two-week period.
• Sorting Extension: The Flow Core Staff will not be extending sort times beyond their scheduled bookings. Sorts will end at the designated time, regardless of whether the sort is "finished". Please plan accordingly. 

Fortessa Specific:

• Data: All must be offloaded via the internet. 

Badge Policies

• Badge Access is a PRIVILEGE a user is granted when they are deemed competent to independently utilize an instrument outside of business hours.
• If you receive Badge Access you attest that you are responsible for troubleshooting the instrument outside of business hours. Please note after business hours contact with flow core staff is limited.
  • Troubleshooting resources folders available attached to the lab door. 
• 24/7 Badge Access is ONLY granted for users who completed training for a SELF-SERVICE instrument. This includes Analyzers and the BD FACS Melody. Users who only use operator assisted cell-sorting services will not be granted badge access.
• WARNING: Any misuse will result in badge access being revoked!
  • No reservation = No Entry 

General Policies

• Undocumented use: We are taking entry in and out of the lab very seriously – undocumented entry into the lab and undocumented usage of the instruments will NOT be tolerated. Only users scheduled on the instrument are allowed in the lab at the designated time
• Cleaning: Keep all workspaces and instruments clean.