Instruments

BD FACSAria™ Fusion Cell Sorter (5-Laser Configuration)

The BD FACSAria™ Fusion is a high-performance cell sorter available at our core facility, built to support complex, high-parameter experiments in academic research. With its 5-laser setup, the Aria™ Fusion enables the detection of a wide array of fluorochromes, allowing for multiparameter analysis and precision sorting of diverse cell populations.

Engineered for both performance and biosafety, the system integrates a biosafety cabinet, providing a sterile and contained environment ideal for working with infectious or sensitive samples. Its fluidics and optics systems are finely tuned to deliver high purity, viability, and yield, making it a trusted platform for demanding applications such as immunology, oncology, stem cell biology, and single-cell studies.

Whether you're sorting rare populations, optimizing complex panels, or preparing cells for downstream applications like single-cell RNA-seq, the BD FACSAria™ Fusion offers the reliability and flexibility required to support cutting-edge academic research.

BD FACSAria™ III Cell Sorter (4-Laser Configuration)
Violet | Blue | Yellow-Green | Red

The BD FACSAria™ III is a reliable and versatile high-speed cell sorter, available at our core facility to support a wide range of academic research applications. Equipped with four spatially separated lasers—violet, blue, yellow-green, and red—the Aria™ III enables simultaneous detection of multiple fluorescent parameters, allowing for detailed phenotypic analysis and high-precision sorting.

This system is optimized for flexibility and performance, offering high purity and viability across a broad range of sample types. Whether you're working with immune cells, stem cells, or rare populations, the Aria™ III is well-suited for both routine and complex sorting tasks. Its user-friendly software and consistent performance make it a solid choice for multi-parameter cell sorting in immunology, developmental biology, neuroscience, and other research fields.

The Aria™ III is an ideal platform for researchers looking to generate clean, viable cell populations for downstream applications such as culture, molecular analysis, or functional assays.

Sony MA900™ Cell Sorter

The Sony MA900™ is a fully automated, benchtop cell sorter designed to deliver high-performance multi-parameter sorting with ease of use and flexibility. Available at our core facility, the MA900™ supports up to four lasers and 12 fluorescence parameters, making it ideal for a wide range of academic research applications, from immunology and stem cell studies to gene editing and rare cell analysis.

One of the key advantages of the MA900™ is its user-friendly design and automation features, including automatic laser alignment, drop delay calibration, and nozzle exchange. After completing thorough training with our core facility staff, researchers are granted independent access to the instrument. This enables self-operated use during after-hours and weekends, maximizing flexibility for demanding research schedules.

The sorter is housed in a biosafety cabinet, ensuring a sterile and contained environment suitable for work with primary human samples, including peripheral blood or other potentially biohazardous materials. With its robust biosafety features and intuitive interface, the MA900™ provides both safety and confidence in high-quality, high-purity sorting.

The Sony MA900™ is an excellent solution for researchers seeking autonomy, precision, and performance in a modern, accessible cell sorting platform.

Sony ID7000™ Spectral Cell Analyzers

Our flow cytometry core facility is equipped with two state-of-the-art Sony ID7000 Spectral Cell Analyzers, offering unmatched flexibility and performance for high-dimensional flow cytometry. These systems are designed to meet the evolving needs of academic researchers conducting complex, multiparameter cellular analysis.

We offer two ID7000™ instruments:

5-Laser Configuration: UV, Violet, Blue, Yellow-Green, Red
7-Laser Configuration: Deep UV, UV, Violet, Blue, Yellow-Green, Red, Infrared
Together, these platforms support the detection of over 40 fluorescent parameters in a single sample, enabling sophisticated panel design and deep phenotyping for applications such as immunoprofiling, cancer biology, stem cell research, and beyond.

The ID7000™ uses full-spectrum detection and advanced unmixing algorithms, allowing researchers to use a wider range of fluorochromes, including dyes with highly overlapping emission spectra, without compromising data quality. An integrated automated sample loader supports both 96-well plates and standard tubes, and includes active cooling to maintain sample integrity during extended acquisition sessions, ideal for high-throughput or time-sensitive workflows.

These analyzers are especially suited for researchers working with large, complex panels and rare cell populations, and for those integrating novel fluorochromes or requiring maximum flexibility in experimental design.

Both instruments are available for trained users, and our facility provides comprehensive support and consultation for panel design, spectral unmixing, and data interpretation.

BD LSRFortessa™ SORP Analyzers

Our core facility is equipped with two BD LSRFortessa™ SORP (Special Order Research Product) analyzers, providing high-performance, customizable flow cytometry for advanced academic research. Both instruments are configured with five spatially separated lasers: UV, Violet, Blue, Yellow-Green, and Red and are equipped with 18 fluorescence detectors, enabling complex multiparameter experiments with a broad range of fluorochromes.

These systems are ideal for applications such as immune profiling, intracellular cytokine detection, signaling pathway analysis, and rare cell identification. 

One of the two analyzers is eqipped with a BD High Throughput Sampler (HTS), which enables automated acquisition from 96- and 384-well plates. 

Whether you're working with human, murine, or other model systems, the LSRFortessa™ provides the sensitivity, flexibility, and reliability needed for a wide array of research questions.

Both instruments are available for trained users, with comprehensive support from our core staff for experimental setup, panel design, and data analysis.

BD FACS Canto™ II Analyzers

Our flow cytometry core facility houses three BD FACS Canto™ II analyzers, offering reliable and user-friendly instrumentation for routine and mid-complexity flow cytometry applications in academic research. All three instruments are equipped with three lasers—Blue (488 nm), Red (633 nm), and Violet (405 nm)—and support up to 8 fluorescence parameters, making them ideal for standard immunophenotyping, apoptosis assays, cell cycle analysis, and more.

One of the instruments is fitted with a carousel sample loader, allowing automated acquisition from up to 40 tubes. This feature enhances efficiency and consistency, particularly for large batches or repetitive sample runs, making it well-suited for screening studies or clinical research workflows.

The FACS Canto™II platform offers excellent sensitivity, stability, and ease of use, with straightforward setup and robust performance. These systems are particularly well-suited for users who require high-quality data acquisition with a streamlined workflow and minimal manual intervention.

All three instruments are available to trained users, and our facility provides full support for experiment planning, panel design, and data analysis.

Miltenyi MACSQuant® 10 Analyzer

The MACSQuant® 10 is a compact, fully automated flow cytometer designed for high-quality, multi-parameter analysis in academic research settings. Housed in our core facility, this instrument features three lasers: Blue (488 nm), Red (635 nm), and Violet (405 nm) and supports 8 fluorescence channels plus forward and side scatter, enabling a wide range of applications from basic immunophenotyping to more complex assays such as cell cycle and proliferation studies.

One of the key advantages of the MACSQuant® 10 is its integrated automated sample handling system, which accommodates both individual tubes and 96-well plates, streamlining high-throughput workflows. The system also includes precise volumetric sampling, eliminating the need for counting beads and enabling accurate absolute cell counts deal for clinical, stem cell, or immunological research.

It‘s robust performance makes the MACSQuant®10 an excellent choice for researchers seeking reliable, efficient, and reproducible flow cytometry results. It is particularly well-suited for users needing automation, minimal sample handling.

The instrument is available to trained users, with full support provided by our core facility team for panel design, assay optimization, and data analysis.

Amnis ImageStream®X Mk II Imaging Flow Cytometer

Our core facility provides access to a fully equipped Amnis ImageStream®X Mk II, a cutting-edge imaging flow cytometer that combines the statistical power of flow cytometry with the spatial resolution of high-content imaging. This instrument is ideal for researchers aiming to visualize and quantify complex cellular events at single-cell resolution and high throughput.

The system is configured with 7 lasers, including a 400 mW 488 nm high-power laser, and supports up to 12 fluorescence detection channels plus brightfield and darkfield imaging. Its Extended Depth of Field (EDF) capability enables visualization of intracellular structures in focus throughout the entire cell, eliminating the need for optical sectioning.

Additionally, the instrument includes a plate loader for automated acquisition from 96-well plates, making it ideal for high-throughput applications and screening workflows.

Typical applications include:

• Co-localization and translocation studies
• Morphological analysis of rare cell populations
• Quantitative cell cycle and apoptosis analysis with image documentation
• Nuclear translocation and signaling pathway investigation
• Phagocytosis and internalization assays
• Small particles like: enodsomes, exosomes or other vesicles

The ImageStream®X Mk II offers unmatched versatility for visual cytometry, providing both qualitative and quantitative insights into cellular processes.

After completing a comprehensive training provided by our core staff, users may operate the instrument independently, including during after-hours or weekends. Our team is available for support with experiment design, sample preparation, and data analysis using IDEAS® software. In addition, we offer paid full-service analysis, from experimental design and sample acquisition to data processing and interpretation using IDEAS® software, ideal for users who prefer to outsource the workflow or are new to imaging cytometry.

Luminex® FlexMap 3D™ Multiplexing System

Our core facility offers access to the Luminex® FlexMap 3D™, a high-throughput, bead-based multiplexing platform that enables simultaneous quantification of up to 500 analytes (realistically 10-30) in a single sample. This system is ideal for researchers looking to maximize data output while minimizing sample volume, particularly in fields such as immunology, biomarker discovery, cytokine profiling, and gene expression studies.

The FlexMap 3D™ is equipped with three lasers and advanced optics, allowing for precise classification of bead regions and sensitive detection of fluorescence intensity. The system supports a broad range of assay formats, including:

• Multiplexed immunoassays (e.g., cytokines, chemokines, phospho-proteins)
• Nucleic acid assays (e.g., SNP genotyping, gene expression)

An integrated automated plate loader and barcode reader streamline sample handling and enable high-throughput acquisition from 96- or 384-well plates, making it ideal for large-scale studies or screening applications.

Our facility offers the FlexMap 3D™ as both a self-service and full-service platform. After a brief training, qualified users can operate the system independently. Alternatively, our team can provide end-to-end support, including sample processing and data acquisition.

Whether you're validating biomarker panels or conducting exploratory multiplex profiling, the FlexMap 3D™ delivers sensitive, reliable, and scalable multiplex data, efficiently and reproducibly.

External Instrument: 

The instrument is located in the anatomy building: University Bonn, Nussallee 10, 53115 Bonn. The instrument can be booked through the FCCF online scheduler.

BD FACSymphony™ A1 Cell Analyzer

Location:

Neuroanatomie, Anatomisches Institut
Universität Bonn
Nussallee 10
53115 Bonn

Contact:

Dr. rer. nat Rittika Chunder (PhD)
Postdoctoral researcher (AG Kürten)

rchunder@uni-bonn.de