This proposal requests funding for the acquisition of a state-of-the-art fluorescence activated cell (FAC) sorter. Syracuse University (SU) does not currently have a FAC sorter and this is a limiting factor for many research projects in different SU departments. The selected model is a Special FACS AriaTM system with 4 lasers from BD Biosciences. It fulfills the needs of all confirmed users and has sufficient flexibility to successfully incorporate future users. It will enable researchers to sort both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells between 0.2 - 100 ìm in diameter with high speeds (up to 70,000 cells per second) and high accuracy (>99%). This major piece of advanced instrumentation will be a crucial resource for many ongoing projects at SU in the areas of biomaterials (including cell-surface interactions, drug delivery, and nanotechnology), molecular and cell biology (including neuroscience, cell physiology, development, and inter-kingdom signaling) and biofuels research involving algae cells.
