Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting Core

Director: Meredith Weglarz, SCYM(ASCP)CM

Email: meweglar@utmb.edu

Phone: 409-747-2011Medical Research Building
3rd floor, Room: 3.159

Meredith Weglarz is an American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certified Specialist in Cytometry (SCYM) with extensive experience in immunology and flow cytometry. With over 10 years of experience, and knowledge and hands-on skills in multiple analytic flow cytometry instruments (including BD FACS LSR-Fortessa and BD FACS Symphony) as well as the BD FACS Aria Fusion Sorter, Meredith manages daily operation of the lab.

 

The UTMB Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting Core Facility purpose is to provide investigators with state-of-the-art equipment and support for flow cytometric analysis and high-speed cell sorting. If your research requires cytometric analysis, our instruments acquire optical measurements using multiple lasers to detect fluorophores with precision. Samples are processed by individual investigators, who then bring samples to the Facility for flow cytometric analysis or cell sorting. Analytical applications can be performed directly by investigator or can be carried out by facility staff members. Investigator training in various types of applications, as well as software support is available. The Facility also aids with protocol development and implementation, experimental design, data analysis, and panel design.​
BD Aria Fusion - Cell Sorter

The BD FACSAria Fusion is a high‑performance, high‑speed cell sorter designed for precise isolation of complex and rare cell populations. This instrument combines sensitive multicolor detection with flexible sorting formats, making it well suited for demanding downstream applications.

Instrument Specifications

  • Laser configuration: 4 lasers
  • Detection:
    • 15 fluorescence detectors
    • Forward scatter (FSC) and side scatter (SSC)
  • Sorting formats:
    • Tubes
    • Multiwell plates
    • Slides
  • Biosafety:
    • Fully enclosed within a Class II Type A2 biosafety cabinet
    • Approved for BSL‑2 samples
  • Sorting capability:
    • High‑speed, high‑purity sorting with excellent cell viability

Applications

The BD FACSAria Fusion supports a wide range of advanced applications, including:

  • High‑purity and rare population sorting
  • DNA and RNA isolation
  • Next‑generation sequencing workflows
  • Functional cellular assays
  • Sterile cell culture
  • Single‑cell cloning
  • Preparation of cells for in vivo animal studies

Sorting Operation

  • All sorting experiments are performed with Core Facility staff assistance to ensure:
    • Proper instrument setup
    • Optimal drop‑delay calculation
    • Accurate gating and sort strategy
    • Compliance with biosafety requirements
  • Investigators are responsible for proper sample preparation, including:
    • Appropriate buffer composition
    • Filtration
    • Correct cell concentration

Consultations prior to sorting are strongly recommended for new users, complex panels, or sensitive downstream applications.

Why Use the Aria Fusion?

The BD FACSAria Fusion is ideal for experiments that require:

  • Maximum flexibility in panel complexity
  • High sort purity and recovery
  • Compatibility with downstream molecular and functional assays
  • Biosafe sorting of BSL‑2 samples
Sony SH800 - Cell Sorter

The Sony SH800 is a compact, reliable benchtop cell sorter designed for efficient enrichment and purification of cell populations. Its streamlined design allows for rapid setup and straightforward operation, making it well suited for routine sorting applications.

Instrument Specifications

  • Laser configuration: 2 lasers
  • Detection:
    • 6 fluorescence detectors
    • Forward and side scatter parameters
  • Sorting format:
    • Tubes only
  • Biosafety:
    • No aerosol containment enclosure
  • Sample containment:
    • BSL‑1 samples only

Applications

The Sony SH800 is ideal for:

  • Standard cell enrichment and depletion workflows
  • Sorting of abundant populations
  • Experiments requiring rapid setup and turnaround
  • Purification applications where ease of use and reliability are prioritized

Use & Considerations

  • Due to the lack of an aerosol containment system, the Sony SH800 is restricted to BSL‑1 samples only.
  • Users are responsible for proper sample preparation, including appropriate buffer composition and filtration.
  • The SH800 is best suited for projects that do not require high‑level biosafety containment or complex sort configurations.

Why Use the Sony SH800?

The Sony SH800 provides a practical solution for investigators seeking:

  • Simple, dependable sorting for routine workflows
  • Faster setup compared to enclosed high‑end sorters
  • Efficient purification without the need for advanced biosafety features
Sony MA900 - Cell Sorter

The Sony MA900 is a high‑performance, high‑speed cell sorter designed for advanced sorting applications requiring enhanced biosafety containment. Installed within a Class II Type A2 biosafety cabinet in the BSL‑3 environment, this instrument enables safe and precise isolation of cell populations from high‑risk samples while maintaining excellent purity and viability.

Instrument Specifications

  • Laser configuration: 4 lasers
  • Detection:
    • 12 fluorescence detectors
    • Forward and side scatter parameters
  • Sorting formats:
    • Tubes
    • Multiwell plates
  • Biosafety:
    • Fully enclosed in a Class II Type A2 biosafety cabinet
    • Located within a BSL‑3 laboratory
  • Sample containment:
    • Suitable for BSL‑3 samples

Applications

The Sony MA900 is ideally suited for:

  • High‑purity and high‑speed cell sorting
  • RNA and DNA isolation
  • Functional cellular assays
  • Sterile cell culture workflows
  • Single‑cell sorting and downstream single‑cell applications
  • Experiments involving infectious or otherwise high‑risk biological samples

Sorting Operation

  • All sorting on the Sony MA900 is performed with Core Facility staff assistance to ensure:
    • Proper instrument setup and optimization
    • Accurate gating and sorting strategies
    • Compliance with BSL‑3 biosafety protocols
  • Investigators must adhere to all BSL‑3 training, approval, and sample preparation requirements prior to scheduling a sort.

Consultation with Core Facility staff is strongly recommended during experiment planning, particularly for new users or complex sorting strategies.

Why Use the Sony MA900?

The Sony MA900 is the sorter of choice for projects that require:

  • Sorting of BSL‑3 samples
  • High purity and recovery for sensitive downstream assays
  • Multi‑format collection flexibility (tubes and plates)
  • Robust containment without sacrificing performance
MidiMACS Magnets - Magnetic Cell Sorter

The Miltenyi MidiMACS Magnet system provides a simple, non‑optical method for magnetic cell separation using antibody‑conjugated magnetic beads. This approach enables rapid cell enrichment or depletion based on surface marker expression without the need for lasers, detectors, or flow cytometry instrumentation.

System Overview

  • No lasers – magnetic separation only
  • No detectors – no fluorescence or optical measurement
  • Cell separation is achieved through magnetic retention of labeled cells within compatible columns

Availability

  • Six (6) Miltenyi MidiMACS Magnets are available for use within the Core Facility

Compatible Column Types

The MidiMACS Magnets are compatible with the following Miltenyi columns:

  • LS Columns
  • LD Columns
  • Whole Blood Columns

These column types support a range of enrichment and depletion strategies depending on sample type and experimental goals.

Applications

  • Magnetic bead‑based cell enrichment or depletion
  • Pre‑enrichment prior to flow cytometry or cell sorting
  • Isolation of specific immune cell populations
  • Rapid processing of whole blood or tissue‑derived samples
  • Applications where high purity is not required but speed and simplicity are prioritized

Use & Access

The MidiMACS Magnets are available for investigator use. Users are responsible for supplying:

  • Appropriate Miltenyi columns
  • Antibody‑conjugated magnetic beads
  • Buffers and consumables specific to their protocol

Investigators are encouraged to consult with Core Facility staff if unsure which column type or workflow best suits their experiment.
BD FACSymphony A5 SE - Cell Analyzer
  • Laser configuration: 5 lasers
  • Detection: Up to 50 detectors
  • Technology: Supports spectral and conventional flow cytometry
  • High‑Throughput Sampler (HTS): Supports 96‑ and 384‑well plates
  • Applications:
    • High‑order and high‑parameter panel analysis
    • Spectral unmixing experiments
    • Conventional multicolor flow cytometry
    • Intracellular and intranuclear staining
    • Cell cycle and proliferation analysis
    • Complex immunophenotyping and discovery‑based workflow
The FACSymphony A5 SE is designed for advanced users and projects requiring maximum flexibility, scalability, and resolution.
BD LSRFortessa - Cell Analyzer
  • Laser configuration: 4 lasers
  • Detection: Up to 15 detectors
  • Technology: Supports conventional flow cytometry
  • High‑Throughput Sampler (HTS): Supports 96‑ and 384‑well plates
  • Applications:
    • High‑order and high‑parameter panel analysis
    • Spectral unmixing experiments
    • Conventional multicolor flow cytometry
    • Intracellular and intranuclear staining
    • Cell cycle and proliferation analysis
    • Complex immunophenotyping and discovery‑based workflows
The LSRFortessa is well suited for robust, high‑quality analytical experiments requiring reproducible and sensitive fluorescence detection.
BD High Throughput Sampler - Cell Analyzer Accessory

The BD High‑Throughput Sampler (HTS) is an automated sample delivery system that enables rapid acquisition of samples from multiwell plates when paired with the BD LSRFortessa™ and BD FACSymphony™ analyzers. The HTS is designed to increase throughput, improve consistency, and reduce hands‑on time for plate‑based flow cytometry experiments.

Compatibility

  • BD LSRFortessa™ Analyzer
  • BD FACSymphony™ A5 SE Analyzer
  • Supports 96‑well and 384‑well plates

Key Features

  • Automated sampling directly from multiwell plates
  • Reduces sample handling and manual tube changes
  • Enables rapid acquisition across large sample sets
  • Consistent sample uptake for reproducible data
  • Ideal for screening‑based and comparative experiments

Applications

  • Drug screening and functional assays
  • Time‑course or dose‑response experiments

Use & Considerations

  • HTS use requires appropriate sample preparation, including proper cell concentration and filtration to prevent clogs.
  • Users should ensure plates are compatible with HTS acquisition and include sufficient volume per well.
  • Both independent trained users and staff‑assisted runs are supported, depending on experience level.
  • Training or a consultation is recommended prior to first HTS use, particularly for complex experiments.
Bio-Rad BioPlex 200 - Multiplex System

  • Technology: Bead‑based multiplex detection

  • Capacity: Quantification of up to 100 analytes simultaneously

  • Applications:

    • Cytokine and chemokine profiling

    • Protein biomarker analysis

  • Accessories:

    • Bio‑Plex II Plate Washer (available at no charge)

The Bio‑Plex system enables efficient, high‑throughput multiplex assays using minimal sample volume.
Bio-Rad Bio-Plex II - Plate Washer

The Bio‑Rad Bio‑Plex II Plate Washer is an automated plate washer available to Core Facility users free of charge. This instrument supports efficient and consistent washing for a variety of assay formats, including bead‑based and standard ELISA‑style workflows.

System Features

  • Automated plate washing for consistent and reproducible results
  • Includes three interchangeable plate adapters:
    • General (flat‑bottom) plates
    • Magnetic bead plates
    • Vacuum plates
  • Compatible with a variety of plate types commonly used for multiplex and immunoassays

Use & Supplies

  • The Bio‑Plex II Plate Washer is available at no cost to users.
  • Wash buffer is not provided by the Core Facility.
    Users must bring their own wash buffer appropriate for their assay.

Applications

  • Bio‑Plex bead‑based assays
  • Immunoassays and ELISA‑style workflows
  • High‑throughput plate washing for analytical experiments
CTL Immunospot - S6 Universal M2 - ELISPOT Analyzer

The CTL ImmunoSpot S6 Universal M2 is a high‑performance platform for Enzyme‑Linked ImmunoSpot (ELISPOT) and FluoroSpot assays, enabling sensitive detection and quantification of cytokine‑secreting cells at the single‑cell level.

Detection Capabilities

  • Visible light imaging for enzymatic ELISPOT assays
  • Fluorescence channels:
    • UV LED 405 nm (Violet)
    • UV LED 480 nm (Blue)
    • UV LED 570 nm (Yellow)
    • UV LED 630 nm (Red)
  • Supports:
    • Enzymatic spot detection
    • Up to 6 simultaneous FluoroSpots

Plate Compatibility

  • 96‑well plates (standard ELISPOT and FluoroSpot formats)

Applications

  • Cytokine and chemokine secretion analysis
  • Antigen‑specific immune response monitoring
  • T‑cell and B‑cell functional assays
  • Vaccine and immunotherapy studies
  • Quantification of rare, antigen‑responsive cell populations

Services & Instrumentation

Last updated: February 20, 2026