The Flow Cytometry/Optical Morphology Shared Resource of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center (MCCC) combines two complimentary technologies - flow cytometry and optical morphology. Flow cytometry is used for high-speed analysis of particles (usually cell populations) in liquid suspension. Optical Morphology is used for image-based analysis of structure and localization within cells or tissue. The resource provides sophisticated instrumentation including bench-top analytical flow cytometers and high-speed cell sorters, confocal microscopes and other light microscope based imaging systems. The facility is staffed with experienced personnel to assist with training, customized image analysis macro programming, data management and data interpretation. The facility is also provided to advance the knowledge and capabilities of these and related technologies. Resource personnel perform all sorting applications. Resource personnel also run the majority of analytical flow cytometry samples. However, users have the option of running their own samples on the analytical instruments. For users that choose this option, instrument training is provided on a one-on-one basis. Training is also provided for all optical morphology instrumentation. Resource personnel are available for assistance with troubleshooting, maintenance, data interpretation, and experimental design. The services of the Shared Resource appeal to a broad base of Cancer Center basic science programs. A very large number of MCCC members utilize the resource as a critical component in their research applications. The availability of instrumentation and expertise contributes to the measurement and understanding of apoptosis and cell cycle regulation, three-dimensional localization of proteins, kinetic responses involving intracellular ions and many other important events necessary for the understanding and regulation of cancer related processes. Adaptations to equipment and procedures allow for flexibility in providing services to MCCC members involved in utilizing cytometric bead array assays, single cell sorting and multi-spectral image acquisition.
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