Getting Started
Registration
All individuals wishing to use the SickKids-UHN FCF must first register with the facility.
Investigators from labs based at SickKids (TMDT and main campus) and UHN-affiliated institutions such as TGH, OCI/PMH, and TWH should use the Internal Investigator registration form. All other investigators should use the External Investigator registration form. The forms are available in Acrobat and Word format from the links below.
Upon approval you will be provided with access to the online booking system and your login name and password will be emailed to you. See the Booking Appointments page for instructions on how to use the online booking system and to see our booking policies. All approved users will have permission to book cell sorting appointments and consultation appointments. To use any of the analytical cytometers or automated magnetic cell separators you must first be trained by FCF staff (see Training below).
Registration forms
- Internal Investigator registration form [Acrobat]
- External Investigator registration form [Acrobat]
Please complete the correct form and email it to the FCF manager ( )
Security Access
To use the FCF all approved and registered users must also complete the TMDT Pass Card Request form so they can be issued a security access card. Fill out the "NAME OF CARDHOLDER" portion and enter your existing card ID# (section (B)) if you have one. This will allow entrance to the TMDT building and FCF Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Requests to access the FCF on weekends or outside normal business hours can be made by completing the 24 Hour FCF Access form below. In addition, fill out the "NAME OF CARDHOLDER" portion of the TMDT Pass Card Request form, enter your existing card ID# (section (B)) and check the "24/7+holidays" box. Requests will only be granted under specific circumstances and at the discretion of the FCF Directors.
Please complete and sign the correct form(s) and return them directly to the facility.
(Do not sign authorization portion of the form; FCF staff will do this)
Training
To use any of the analytical cytometers or automated magnetic cell separators users must receive training from SickKids-UHN FCF staff. Users that have been trained by other facilities must still be trained by SickKids-UHN FCF staff.
Analytical Cytometer Training Courses
We offer a "basic" and an "advanced" group-training course for our analytical cytometers on a first-come, first-served basis once a month. Each course is composed of two three-hour sessions that are usually scheduled on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2-5 p.m.
After clients are registered with the facility, they will be eligible to book training courses by contacting Dr. Sherry Zhao, the FCF manager (). Please describe the type of flow cytometry experience you have, if any and if known, indicate which instrument you would like to be trained on and provide a brief description of the type of flow analysis you would most likely be carrying out. The FCF manager will determine what kind of training each client will require based on their past experience and their instrument needs.
Basic Training Course
The first session will include an online tutorial to cover the basic principles of flow cytometry and hands-on training to learn how to operate and QC the instrument and use the instrument's software program for data acquisition. For the second session, users (with the assistance of the training instructor) will practice using the instrument by running their own stained samples. Users are asked to bring 10 samples or less including proper control samples (e.g. an unstained sample, single-colour compensation samples).
Advanced Training Course
This course is designed for users who already have flow cytometery experience and plan to use the LSRII to analyze cells labeled with five or more fluorochromes, (a practice known as polychromatic flow cytometry). The first session will include a tutorial to cover advanced knowledge of flow cytometry instrumentation (digital vs analog instruments and data, filter configuration optimization, multiparameter experiment design, bi-exponential displays) in addition to hands-on training to learn how to operate the instrument and use the BD Diva software for data acquisition. For the second session, users (with the assistance of the training instructor) will practice using the instrument by running their own stained samples. Users are asked to bring 10 samples or less including proper control samples (e.g. an unstained sample, single-colour compensation samples).
Automated Magnetic Cell Separator Training
Our facility has two automated separators that are located in room 2-203. A mandatory 15-minute training session provided by FCF staff is a pre-requisite for use of either instrument. This training session is free of charge.
Please contact Julie for training on the autoMACS ( ) and Pier for training on the Robosep ( ).