CRG/UPF Flow Cytometry Unit

Head of Unit

Òscar Fornas

CRG/UPF Flow Cytometry Unit

Head of Unit

Òscar Fornas

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2017-9100

Overview

Flow cytometry studies optical parameters emitted by particles (cells, cell fractions). Flow cytometers can study a series of parameters of individual particles simultaneously, quickly and on a large number of individualized particles in suspension. Flow cytometers use lasers as a source of light excitement; therefore, it must be possible to mark the particles with one or more fluorescent substances. Information is also collected regarding the size and structural complexity of each particle. This multiparameter study of each particle enables us to analyse subpopulations in complex samples through electronic sorting. Some cytometers are also equipped with sorting and collection modules for particles of interest.

The most important applications of flow cytometry include those relating to the study of cell surface receptors, nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens, DNA content, enzyme activity, cell integrity and membrane permeability and calcium flows.

The Unit currently hosts six analyzers and five sorters. The sorters are operated by the facility personnel, who also support the users in experimental design and data analysis. The analyzers are operated by the users themselves, after they have been trained. The facility personnel help with the experimental design and supervises and monitors the experiments when necessary.

For further information, please contact Òscar Fornas.

You can learn more about the unit by taking the virtual tour HERE.

Latest Updates

Cytek® Biosciences Signs Agreement with CRG and UPF to Accelerate Scientific Discoveries (18/01/2024)
Cytek Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTKB), a leading cell analysis solutions company, has signed an agreement with the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) and the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) to drive technological innovation and accelerate discoveries for the scientific community.

New technology acquisition:

Attune Xenith Flow Cytometer (ThermoFisher Scientific)
https://www.thermofisher.com/es/es/home/life-science/cell-analysis/flow-cytometry/flow-cytometers/attune-nxt-flow-cytometer/models/xenith.html

Cytek Aurora Spectral analyzer (Cytek Biosciences)
https://cytekbio.com/pages/aurora

BigFoot Spectral Cell Sorter (ThermoFisher Scientific). Owned by EMBL Barcelona.
https://www.thermofisher.com/es/en/home/life-science/cell-analysis/flow-cytometry/flow-cytometers/bigfoot-spectral-cell-sorter.html

BD FACSDiscover S8 Cell Sorter (Becton Disckinson)
https://www.bdbiosciences.com/en-us/products/instruments/flow-cytometers/research-cell-sorters/bd-facsdiscover-s8

Implemented applications:

Flow Karyotyping for chromosome sorting was implemented in our facility to isolate chromosomes for chromosome sequencing. Additionally, this methodology allows the detection of numerical and structural chromosome aberrations. Chromosomes of a single type can be purified facilitating gene mapping or production of chromosome-specific recombinant DNA libraries.

Reference: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-07885-5

Single Virus Sorting has been developed in our facility to isolate single virus. Single virus isolation allows the access to genome of single virus for sequencing. Single Virus Genomics enable the discovery of some of the likely most abundant and ecologically relevant marine viral species. The method could be used to study other biological entities into different ecosystems.

Reference: https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15892

Pioneering technique to discover viruses present in saliva (22/03/2018)
A group of researchers led by Manuel Martínez García, member of the University of Alicante Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, with the participation of Oscar Fornas, unit leader at the UPF-CRG Flow Cytometry Unit, has discovered new viruses present in human saliva through the application of techniques that combine flow cytometry, genomics and molecular biology.

Reference:
Cruz MJ, Martinez-Hernandez F, Garcia-Heredia I, Lluesma M, Fornas O and Martinez-Garcia M.
"Deciphering the Human Virome with Single-Virus Genomics and Metagenomics."
Viruses, March 2018.

Òscar Fornas CV

1996 PhD in Biochemistry at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain.
1996-2000 Postdoc at Oncologic Research Institute (IRO), Barcelona, Spain.
2000-2001 PI at IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.
2001-2010 Head of Flow Cytometry Core Facility at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
Since March 2010 Head of Flow Cytometry Core Facility at UPF/CRG, Barcelona, Spain.

Funding acknowledgements

Convenio de colaboración entre la Fundació Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya y la Fundació Centre de Regulació Genómica en el marco del Plan Complementario de Biotecnología Aplicada a la Salud
Objective: Llevar a cabo la ejecución de la Línea de Actuación 2 (LA2) (Implementación y análisis de bases de datos en medicina de precisión) , con el objetivo de crear una plataforma de análisis masivo a nivel de célula individual mediante el fortalecimiento de las unidades de Citometría de Flujo, Genómica y Computación del CRG
Budget: 1,100,000 €
Period: 01/10/2022 to 31/05/2025
Funded by: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación y Generalitat de Catalunya. El Plan Complementario Biotecnología Aplicada a la Salud ha sido cofinanciado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación con fondos de la Unión Europea NextGenerationEU, el Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia (PRTR-C17.I1) y el Departament de Recerca i Universitats de la Generalitat de Catalunya.
All the information about the Plan Complementario de Biotecnología Aplicada a la Salud in this website: https://planescomplementariossalud.es/en/

How to access

All services and equipment provided by the Flow Cytometry Unit are available through the AGENDO web platform.
You can access AGENDO using the following link: https://crg.agendoscience.com/
We recommend to discuss previously the experiments with facility staff for proper experiment design.
To contact with facility staff visit our Unit members tab.

Service Prices

Prices

Services

Unassisted bench-top analysis available by online instrument reservation.
Assisted bench-top analysis available by appointment.
Extensive training on bench-top analyzers.
Extensive training on FACSAria sorter for advanced users.
Cell sorting, staff assisted procedure, using two different high-speed sorters.
Support in project/assay development to perform proper Flow Cytometry.
Support on experimental advise and design.

Cytometers Optical Configurations

Download the configurations

Analyzer

Instrument	Laser Ex line (nm)	Parameters FSC/SSC + FL
Cytek Aurora 4L	405, 488, 561, 640	3 + 48
Cytek Aurora 5L	405, 488, 640, 355, 457, 561	3+64
BD LSR II	488, 633, 355, 405	2+10
Xenith	355, 405, 488, 561,637, 781	6+51
BD LSR Fortessa	488, 640, 405, 561	2+13

Cell sorter

Instrument		Laser Ex line (nm)	Parameters FSC/SSC + FL
	BD FACSAria II SORP	488, 640, 355, 405, 561	2 + 18
	BD Influx	488, 640, 355, 405, 561	2 + 14
	BD S8	405, 488, 640, 355, 457, 561	3 + 64
	Cytek Aurora CS	405, 488, 640, 355, 457, 561	3 + 64
	Thermo Bigfoot**	405, 488, 640, 355, 455, 561, 785	5 + 55