Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting Shared Resource

The mission of the Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting (FCCS) Shared Resource is to provide the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center research community with an integrated platform to sort and analyze cells and evaluate preclinical and clinical experimental data in a cell-specific manner.

Flow cytometric techniques allow for rapid phenotypic and functional analysis of biological processes and isolation of single cells, methodologies that are critical for detailed analyses of cell types contributing to the complex processes of cancer initiation, metastasis, and progression.

FCCS staff work closely with Hollings members to develop, promote, and deliver high-quality service, data analysis, and experimental design. FCCS services include consultation, training, education, data analyses, and data preparation for publication.

Staff

Director

Amanda C. LaRue, Ph.D.
Professor, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
laruerc@musc.edu

Director of Operations

B. Jacob Kendrick, MS, SCYM (ASCP)
Children's Research Institute – CR210
kendricb@musc.edu
843-792-9602

CyTOF Operations Manager

Carsten Krieg, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
kriegc@musc.edu
843-792-9995

Research Specialist – Flow Cytometry

Kirsten Hughes
mcdanelk@musc.edu
843-792-8115
Children's Research Institute – CR205G

Research Specialist – Mass Cytometry

Ben Caiello
caiello@musc.edu
843-792-8115
Children's Research Institute – CR205G

Services

User-based (unassisted) Flow Cytometric Analysis

Equipment is available 24/7 for trained investigators. During regular working hours, operators are available to assist with setup, running samples, and troubleshooting.

Assisted Flow Cytometric Analysis

An operator is available for the Fortessa X-20, LSRFortessa, and FACSVerse during regular working hours to provide general assistance as well as standard assays including cell death, proliferation, cell cycle, Ca++ flux, etc.

Imaging Flow Cytometry

The FCCS offers imaging flow cytometry as an assisted-use service on the Luminex ImageStream. The ImageStream^X Mk II System is a benchtop, multispectral, imaging flow cytometer designed for the acquisition of up to 12 channels of cellular imagery, allowing users to locate and quantify the distribution of signals on, within, or between cells.

Cell Sorting

The FCCS offers high-speed cell sorting services for isolation of complex and rare cell populations. The staff of the FCCS has considerable expertise in the design and implementation of novel methodologies for cell/particle isolation and is available to work with investigators to support study goals. Cell sorting is provided as an operator-based assisted service.

Mass Cytometry

The FCCS provides mass cytometry services for high-dimensional single-cell analysis. The Helios (CyTOF) platform is currently capable of simultaneously analyzing 50 parameters. Mass cytometry acquisition is provided as an operator-based assisted service only. Please contact Dr. Krieg for scheduling sample dropoffs. Under Helpful Links below, you will find some entry points for high-dimensional data analysis. 

Spectral Flow Cytometry

Beginning in Spring 2022, the FCCS will provide access to a Cytek Northern Lights Spectral Analyzer. This 3 laser system has 38 Avalanche PhotoDiode detectors capable of reading the complete spectrum of every fluorochrome in your panel, allowing for combinations of fluorochromes that would be incompatible on other instruments (APC and AF647, e.g.). Spectral analysis represents the future of flow cytometry by bridging the gap between conventional flow and mass cytometry. The Northern Lights is available for both assisted and unassisted use.

Additional Information & Helpful Links

• Cytobank
• CyTOF Workflow
• Educational Resources
• Equipment & Analysis Software
• FluoroFinder Experiment Designer
• Guide to Sample Preparation for Cell Sorting (PDF)
• Pricing & Fees (PDF)
• Rules & Regulations (PDF)

Publication Acknowledgement

If you publish a manuscript including research supported by the Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting Shared Resource, Hollings Cancer Center recommends the following text to be placed in the acknowledgement section: "Supported in part by the Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting Shared Resource, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina (P30 CA138313)."