Flow cytometry

Flow cytometry is an essential technique for many cell biology or immunology applications. The KIR flow cytometry facility is managed by Jonathan Webber under academic supervision of Prof Lynn Dustin, and supports around 70 active users.

Flow cytometry manager

Jonathan Webber

Flow Cytometry Facility Manager

Equipment

The KIR flow facility operates 2 BD analysers (LSRII, Fortessa X20), 1 Cytek spectral analyser (Aurora), and 1 BD cell sorter (Aria III).

LSR II (R/B/V), Fortessa X20 (R/B/V/YG) are 14-colour maximum panel size. The YG laser on the Fortessa offers an advantage with dsRed/mCherry/tdTomato reporters. The Fortessa has a plate loader.

Aurora (R/B/V/YG/UV) is a spectral cytometer capable of a 40-colour panel size, with a very effective plate loader for automation. A major part of the KIR scientific remit is immune/stromal crosstalk. This is facilitated by autofluorescence extraction available on the Aurora, whilst the large panel size enables multiplexing of several smaller panels.

Aria III (R/B/V/YG), configuration equivalent to the Fortessa. Cell sorter is enclosed in a BSC for safe sorting of unscreened blood. Can sort 4 populations simultaneously or into single wells of a 96-well plate. Maximum throughput around 50 million cells/hr for PBMC/splenocyte or similar.

Support

The flow facility provides Flowjo portal licenses for data analysis. The facility manager can assist with experiment design, troubleshooting and analysis. If unsure, please email before reagent purchase!

Cell sorting is operator-run in the first instance. The flow manager will discuss your experimental requirements (viability, downstream processing, input number and expected yields, duration, biosafety) prior to scheduling, in order to maximize likelihood of good experimental outcome.

Useful links

We have curated a comprehensive list of useful links of all things flow cytometry.

The list you need

Publications

Systemic lupus pregnancies are characterized by an intrinsic pro-inflammatory monocyte transcriptome, driven by an aberrant miRNA signature.

Scherlinger M. et al, (2026), J Transl Autoimmun, 12

Mixed-mobility supported lipid bilayers uncover the role of immobilized ICAM1 on T cell activation and immune synapse organization.

Leithner A. et al, (2026), Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 123

The epidemiology of cubital tunnel syndrome: a UK Biobank case-control study.

Lucey M. et al, (2026), J Hand Surg Eur Vol

Protocol for precision cutting and short-term culture of lymph node tissue slices for modeling of innate immune responses ex vivo.

Fergusson JR. et al, (2026), STAR Protoc, 7

Latest publications