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The Princess Margaret Flow Cytometry Facility at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Providing state-of-the-art analytical flow cytometry and cell sorting services to UHN and other local biomedical research organizations in the Greater Toronto Area.

Get Started
Reseach and Innovation Cores Logo

The Princess Margaret Flow Cytometry Facility at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Providing state-of-the-art analytical flow cytometry and cell sorting services to UHN and other local biomedical research organizations in the Greater Toronto Area.

Get Started

Welcome to PM Flow Cytometry Facility at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

We are open to all UHN investigators and External Clients.

Our experienced staff are standing by to:

  • Provide registered users with our operator-assisted services (incl. sorting, acquisition, training, consultation, and data analysis) from 8AM - 8PM, Monday to Friday.
  • Provide the training you need to gain 24/7 access to our autonomous services.

Registered users of the PM Flow Cytometry Facility are also eligible to gain access to available instruments and services at the Krembil Discovery Tower Flow Cytometry Facility at Toronto Western Hospital.

Over

250

active users from 46 different labs served

Currently serving

11

different institutions

Over

50

years of combined experience

Where Are We?

We are located on the 8th floor of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (office: 8-605) at 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9.

How to Access Our Services

Register as a new user

  1. Click on our Account Creation Guide to create a new user account in our Online Calendaring System.
  2. You will be prompted to provide written agreement with our Operational Policies.

Reserve our operator-assisted services

Reserve autonomous use of available instrumentation (24/7 access)

  1. E-mail us at pmflow@uhnresearch.ca to request training.
  2. Schedule assisted services with a member of our staff pending completion of your training.
  3. Upon completion of your training, book your autonomous session using our Online Calendaring System.

How to access KDT Flow Cytometry Facility instruments & services

  1. E-mail edwin.speck@uhn.ca to schedule a brief in-person orientation session.
  2. Use the free UHN shuttle bus service to travel from the Toronto General Hospital to the Toronto Western Hospital campus (only for UHN staff)
  3. Trained users can book autonomous sessions at the KDT facility using our Online Calendaring System.
  4. E-mail edwin.speck@uhn.ca to schedule any additional training or assisted services that you may require.

What We Offer

PM Flow offers many services for all of their users.

Spectral and Conventional Flow Analyzers

+

Analytical Flow Cytometry

  • Spectral flow analysis on a 6-laser ID7000 with over 40 channel fluorescence detection capabilities with autofluorescence correction capability
  • Cytoflex S instruments with nano particle detection capability
  • Five conventional analyzers with two that can detect up to 18 fluorescent parameters (with UV detection capability)
  • Convenient walk-away plate loading sample analysis
  • 24/7 access for trained users

Cell Sorting

+

Cell Sorting

  • High-speed sorting with 4 dedicated instruments
  • Sort up to 6 populations simultaneously at 20,000 events/second
  • User-operated sorting available on SH800 instrument
  • Option for parallel sorts is available
  • Optically matched BD analyzers/sorters available for easy panel transfer
  • Same-day sorting appointments available

Consultation & Data Analysis

+

Consultation & Data Analysis

  • Panel design, experiment planning, and publication support
  • FlowJo Portal Site Licence available at a discounted rate
  • Troubleshooting
  • Free acess to ID7000 & Cytoflex software

Access & Training

+

Access & Training

  • Open to UHN and external researchers
  • Regular hours of operation from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
  • Sorting available from 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
  • Trained users have 24/7 access to all flow analyzers and the SH800 sorter

What We Offer

PM Flow offers many services for all of their users.

Spectral and Conventional Flow Analyzers

+

Analytical Flow Cytometry

  • Spectral flow analysis on a 6-laser ID7000 with over 40 channel fluorescence detection capabilities with autofluorescence correction capability
  • Cytoflex S instruments with nano particle detection capability
  • Five conventional analyzers with two that can detect up to 18 fluorescent parameters (with UV detection capability)
  • Convenient walk-away plate loading sample analysis
  • 24/7 access for trained users

Cell Sorting

+

Cell Sorting

  • High-speed sorting with 4 dedicated instruments
  • Sort up to 6 populations simultaneously at 20,000 events/second
  • User-operated sorting available on SH800 instrument
  • Option for parallel sorts is available
  • Optically matched BD analyzers/sorters available for easy panel transfer
  • Same-day sorting appointments available

Consultation & Data Analysis

+

Consultation & Data Analysis

  • Panel design, experiment planning, and publication support
  • FlowJo Portal Site Licence available at a discounted rate
  • Troubleshooting
  • Free acess to ID7000 & Cytoflex software

Access & Training

+

Access & Training

  • Open to UHN and external researchers
  • Regular hours of operation from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
  • Sorting available from 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
  • Trained users have 24/7 access to all flow analyzers and the SH800 sorter

Equipment

We provide access to diverse instrumentation and technology to adress a broad range of research needs.

Analyzers - PM Site

The PM site is currently equipped with six analytical flow cytometers of various makes and models.

Click Show More to see the laser and channel guides for individual instruments.

▸ BD LSR Fortessa 1 (5 lasers, 18 channels)
Laser Fluorescent Channels Typical Fluorochromes per channel
UV (355nm) 3 BUV395/ BUV496/ BUV737
Violet (405nm) 6 BV421/ BV510/ BV605/ BV650/ BV711/ BV786
Blue (488nm) 2 FITC/ PerCP-Cy5.5
Yellow-Green (561nm) 4 PE/ PE-TR/ PE-Cy5.5/ PE-Cy7
Red (640nm) 3 APC/ AF700/ APC-Cy7
▸ BD LSR Fortessa 2 (5 lasers, 18 channels)
Laser Fluorescent Channels Typical Fluorochromes per channel
UV (355nm) 3 BUV395/ BUV496/ BUV737
Violet (405nm) 6 BV421/ BV510/ BV605/ BV650/ BV711/ BV786
Blue (488nm) 2 FITC/ PerCP-Cy5.5
Yellow-Green (561nm) 4 PE/ PE-TR/ PE-Cy5.5/ PE-Cy7
Red (640nm) 3 APC/ AF700/ APC-Cy7
▸ BD LSR X20 (4 lasers, 13 channels)
Laser Fluorescent Channels Typical Fluorochromes per channel
Violet (405nm) 3 BV421/ BV510/ BV605
Blue (488nm) 2 FITC/ PerCP-Cy5.5
Green (543nm) 5 PE/ PE-TR/ PE-Cy5/ PE-Cy5.5/ PE-Cy7
Red (640nm) 3 APC/ AF700/ APC-Cy7
▸ Beckman Cytoflex 1 (4 lasers, 13 channels)
Laser Fluorescent Channels Typical Fluorochromes
Violet (405nm) 4 BV421/ BV510/ BV605/ BV650
Blue (488nm) 2 FITC/ PerCP or PerCP-Cy5.5
Red (633nm) 3 APC/ AF700/ APC-Cy7
Yellow 4 PE/ PETR/ PECY5 or PECY5.5/ PEcy7
▸ Beckman Cytoflex 2 (4 lasers, 13 channels)
Laser Fluorescent Channels Typical Fluorochromes
Violet (405nm) 4 BV421/ BV510/ BV605/ BV650
Blue (488nm) 2 FITC/ PerCP or PerCP-Cy5.5
Red (633nm) 3 APC/ AF700/ APC-Cy7
Yellow 4 PE/ PETR/ PECY5 or PECY5.5/ PEcy7
▸ Sony ID7000 (5 lasers, 38 channels typically*)
Laser Spectral Channels Fluors/Channel*
355 36 8
405 35 10
488 32 7
561 26 8
637 19 5
Total 148 38

* Fluorophore choices are only limited by the excitation wavelength and the extent of their spectral overlap (i.e., breadth of their spectral emission curves). The numbers in the table represent typical numbers for traditional fluorophore combinations. An even greater number of detectable fluors/channel can be achieved when using novel fluors with narrower emission peaks.

Analyzers - KDT Site

The KDT site is currently equipped with two different makes of analytical flow cytometers.

Click Show More to see the laser and channel guides for individual instruments.

▸ BD FACS Canto II (3 lasers, 8 channels)
Laser Fluorescent Channels Typical Fluorochromes per channel
Violet (405nm) 2 BV421/ BV605
Blue (488nm) 4 FITC/ PE/ PerCP or PerCP-Cy5.5 or PECy5 or PE-Cy5.5/ PE-Cy7
Red (640nm) 2 APC/ APC-Cy7
▸ Beckman Cytoflex LX (6 lasers, 21 channels)
Laser Fluorescent channels Typical Fluorochromes per channel
UV (355nm) 3 BUV395/ BUV496 or DAPI/ BUV737
Violet (405nm) 5 BV421/ BV510/ BV605/ BV650/ BV786
Blue (488nm) 3 FITC/ PE-TR/ PerCP or PerCP-Cy5.5
Yellow (561nm) 5 PE/ PR-TR/ PECy5/ PE-Cy5.5/ PECy7
Red (640nm) 3 APC/ AF700/ APC-Cy7
IR (808nm) 2 A790/ IR885

Sorters - PM Site

The PM site is currently equipped with four fluorescence activated cell sorters of various makes and models including:

  • One Beckman Astrios Mo-Flo cell sorter capable of simultaneous 6-way gentle low-pressure sorting at speeds up to 8000 events per second.
  • Two optically matched BD Aria Fusion sorters capable of simultaneous 4-way sorting at speeds up to 20,000 EPS.
  • One Sony SH800 available for 24/7 autonomous 6-parameter sorting.

Click Show More to see the laser and channel guides for individual instruments.

▸ Beckman Mo-Flo Astrios 1 (4 lasers, 14 channels)
Laser Fluorescent Channels Typical Fluorochromes per channel
Violet (405nm) 5 BV421/ BV510/ BV605/ BV650/ BV711
Blue (488nm) 2 FITC/ PerCP-Cy5.5
Green (561nm) 4 PE/ PE-TR/ PE-Cy5.5/ PE-Cy7
Red (640nm) 3 APC/ AF700/ APC-Cy7
▸ Beckman Mo-Flo Astrios 2 (4 lasers, 14 channels)
Laser Fluorescent Channels Typical Fluorochromes per channel
Violet (405nm) 5 BV421/ BV510/ BV605/ BV650/ BV711
Blue (488nm) 2 FITC/ PerCP-Cy5.5
Green (561nm) 4 PE/ PE-TR/ PE-Cy5.5/ PE-Cy7
Red (640nm) 3 APC/ AF700/ APC-Cy7
▸ BD Aria Fusion 1 (5 lasers, 18 channels)
Laser Fluorescent Channels Typical Fluorochromes per channel
UV (355nm) 3 BUV395/ BUV496/ BUV737
Violet (405nm) 6 BV421/ BV510/ BV605/ BV650/ BV711/ BV786
Blue (488nm) 2 FITC/ PerCP-Cy5.5
Yellow-Green (561nm) 4 PE/ PE-TR/ PE-Cy5.5/ PE-Cy7
Red (640nm) 3 APC/ AF700/ APC-Cy7
▸ BD Aria Fusion 2 (4 lasers, 15 channels)
Laser Fluorescent Channels Typical Fluorochromes per channel
Violet (405nm) 6 BV421/ BV510/ BV605/ BV650/ BV711/ BV786
Blue (488nm) 2 FITC/ PerCP-Cy5.5
Yellow-Green (561nm) 4 PE/ PE-TR/ PE-Cy5.5/ PE-Cy7
Red (640nm) 3 APC/ AF700/ APC-Cy7
▸ Sony SH800 (4 lasers, 6 channels)
Laser Fluorescent channels Typical Fluorochromes per channel
Violet (405nm) 1-6 BV421/ BV510*/ BV605*/ BV650*/ BV711*/ BV786*
Blue (488nm) 1 FITC* or GFP*
Yellow (561nm) 1-4 PE/ PR-TR*/ PECy5*/ PE-Cy7*
Red (638nm) 1-3 APC*/ AF700*/ APC-Cy7*

Sorters - KDT Site

The KDT site is currently equipped with a BD FACS Aria III sorter capable of simultaenous 4-way sorting at speeds up to 20,000 EPS.

Click Show More to see the laser and channel guides for individual instruments.

▸ BD FACS Aria III (3 lasers, 11 channels)
Laser Fluorescent channels Typical Fluorochromes per channel
Violet (405nm) 3 BV421 or DAPI/ BV605/ BV711
Blue (488nm) 5 FITC/ PE/ PE-TR/ PerCP or PerCP-Cy5.5/ PE-Cy7
Red (640nm) 3 APC/ AF700/ APC-Cy7

Fee Table

Service UHN (hourly rate) Academic (hourly rate) Corporate (hourly rate)
Filter-based Flow Analyzers $40 $48 $80
ID7000 Spectral Analyzer $60 $72 $120
SH800 (autonomous) $60 $72 $120
Operator assisted sessions (reg) * $90 $108 $180
Operator assisted session (after-hours) * $135 $162 $270
FlowJo license (annual) $525 $525 N/A
  • * Includes assisted sorting (all models), training, acquisition, consultation, data analysis
  • PM Site: Regular hours are from 8:00AM-8:00PM (8:30AM - 7:30PM for sorting)
  • KDT Site: Regular hours are from 9:00AM-5:00PM (9:30AM - 4:30PM for sorting)

Recent News

Read about announcements and exciting updates.
See More News

Referencing PM Flow in Your Publications

For publications resulting from our services, please acknowledge the Princess Margaret Flow Cytometry Facility (pmflow.ca) in the Acknowledgements section of your manuscript. Acknowledgements are an important reflection of our contributions to your published work, and help strengthen our applications for grant funding. We appreciate your acknowledgements!

In general, it is sufficient to reference pmflow.ca and/or Princess Margaret Flow Cytometry Facility for tracking and reporting purposes. It is not required that Individual team members be named unless they have made a direct scientific contribution to your work that warrants authorship or specific acknowledgement.

To support accurate tracking of core facility usage in publications, please include the following Research Resource Identifier (RRID):

* A Research Resource Identifier (RRID) is a unique citation code that enables transparent reporting and recognition of core facilities in published research.

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