Flow Cytometry Core
Welcome to Tufts Laser Cytometry (TLC)
TLC is a core facility offering Flow and Laser Cytometry equipment and services to the local scientific community.
We are located on the Health Sciences Campus of Tufts University in the Chinatown area in downtown Boston.
The facility is in the Jaharis Building on the 5th floor (rooms 533, 534 and 535) at 150 Harrison Avenue. Please check the directions tab in the page footer for a campus map.
Note that all users must submit information and protocols for Biosafety review and evaluation before bringing samples to the facility. Please contact Allen Parmelee for more information.
Contact Information
Allen Parmelee
Manager
617-636-0464
Stephen Kwok
Flow Cytometrist
617-636-6676
FACS Analysis Services
TLC offers walk-up, self-service FACS analysis. Training for new users on our analysis instruments can be arranged.
New users should contact Allen Parmelee or Stephen Kwok before planning and scheduling any training session(s).
An online calendar can be used by returning users to book analysis services.
- Aurora Spectral Flow Cytometers (CytekBio) - 5 lasers and 64 color detectors, with tube and multi-well options. One with small particle detector.
- Attune Cytometer with CytPix and CytKick . - a 4 laser system with 14 color parameters. With bright-field cell image analysis and Multiwell plate-reader.
- FACSCalibur (BD) - 2 lasers and 4 fluorescent parameters.
Cell Sorting Services
We provide cell sorting on several instruments. Please contact the facility to schedule sorting experiments.
Sort options range from isolating single populations into multi-well plates (clonally or any number specified), to bulk-sorting up to six populations simultaneously. Currently up to 47 fluorescent parameters are available from as many as five excitation lasers (laser lines of 355, 405, 488, 561 and 641 nm).
Instruments
- BIGFOOT (ThermoFisher) with optional Spectral Module. - 5 lasers and 47 color detectors. Integrated in Biosafety hood. This is a new instrument and is state-of-the-art.
- FACS Aria (Becton Dickinson with custom modifications by Cytek) - 5 lasers and 16 color detectors.
- Please note that when citing work done at the TLC, reference NIH 1S10OD016196-01 for sorting done on the Aria instrument, and NIH S10OD032201 for the Sorting done with the BigFoot (ThermoFisher)
Rates
Note that rates are increasing on January 1, 2024 as listed below. Prices are also subject to change.
| Institution (cost per hour) | FACS Calibur * | Aurora Spectral & Attune Traditional ** |
|---|---|---|
| Tufts University | $60 | $70 |
| Tufts Medical Center | $75 | $85 |
| Non-profit Organizations | $105 | $120 |
| Biotech/Pharma | $160 | $180 |
*Hours are measured in 15 minute intervals.
**Hours are measured in 15 minute intervals and always rounded up. A 24 hour cancellation notice is required. For the Attune, a minimum of 30 minutes will be billed. For the Aurora, a minimum of 1 hour will be billed.
| Institution | BIGFOOT & Aria (custom) |
|---|---|
| Tufts University | $85 |
| Tufts Medical Center | $105 |
| Non-profit Organizations | $130 |
| Biotech/Pharma | $200 |
A minimum of 1 hour will be billed. Time thereafter is measured in 15 minute intervals and will always be rounded up.
There is a 24 hour cancellation notice for every consecutive hour booked. For example, a 3 hour sort requires 3 business days to cancel without potentially incurring a charge. Early cancellations may incur a minimum of a 30 minute fee up to a full penalty.