Getting started

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. (Operation of the cell sorters is carried out by FCF staff only.)

Analytical Cytometer Training Courses

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.

We offer a "basic" and an "advanced" group-tutorial course (lecture-based) as well as instrument specific hands-on training on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Basic Tutorial will be held once a month or as needed (usually on Thursday mornings). The Advanced Tutorial is usually scheduled twice a month on Monday mornings. Instrument training is usually scheduled Monday mornings and Tuesday afternoons.

Those who are new to Flow cytometry will be required to take the Basic Tutorial. To use the LSRII or CantoII users will be required take the Advanced Tutorial in addition to the instrument-specific training course.

Basic Tutorial (~1.5 hrs) The basic tutorial is designed for users who are new to flow cytometry. It will include an online tutorial to cover the basic principles of flow cytometry, components of a flow cytometer, fluorescence absorption and emission, compensation, experimental design and controls for flow cytometry

Advanced Tutorial (~1 hr) This course is designed for users who plan to use the LSRII or CantoII to analyze cells labeled with five or more fluorochromes, (a practice known as polychromatic flow cytometry). This tutorial will cover advanced knowledge of flow cytometry instrumentation (digital vs analog instruments and data, filter configuration optimization, multiparameter experiment design, bi-exponential displays and an introduction to the acquisition software)

Instrument Training (Parts I and II)

Part I (~2 hrs) includes hands-on training to learn how to operate and QC the instrument and use the instrument's software program for data acquisition.

For Part II (~3 hrs) 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 magnetic separators. 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 ()