News and Announcements
September 15, 2025
FCRC are excited to share some great news with you! As planned, during the first two weeks of September, two new Cytek Aurora CS Cell Sorters were successfully installed at the FCRC. Their performance has been fully validated (QC/QA) by the Cytek Customized Lab Service, and FCRC Staff has completed training to operate these instruments. Please learn more about Cytek Aurora CS on our new webpage: Cytek Aurora CS.
We are READY TO GO! While a few technical aspects (such as booking via FCRC-PPMS, data management workflow, etc.) are still being streamlined, the FCRC team is eager to begin operating these sorters on a routine basis.
Current experiments
With the BD FACSArias scheduled to be phased out over the next 4–6 months, we will begin proactively transitioning our current experiments from our beloved but aging BD FACSAria platforms to the new and modern Cytek Aurora CS systems. These instruments feature state-of-the-art optics and low-noise electronics, enabling high-resolution, high-sensitivity sorting for identifying and isolating rare cell populations deep into the complex gating hierarchy.
Panel Transfer from Cytek Analyzer to CS
If you’re currently using the Cytek Aurora Analyzer, here’s some excellent news! The Cytek Aurora CS shares the same optical system, allowing for direct transfer of your panels and experiments without modification. This seamless compatibility is one of the key strengths of the Cytek Analyzer & Sorter bundle. Please take advantage of it! To get started, please schedule a C1_Experimental Design Consultation to discuss the best next steps for your projects, which involve cell sorting.
Looking Ahead
Once the BD FACSArias are phased out (January–February 2026), FCRC will remain fully equipped to meet your sorting needs with the recently acquired three spectral cell sorters (BD FACSDiscover S8 and 2 × Cytek Aurora CS) as well as one conventional cell sorter (Sony MA900). Please refer to the FCRC Instruments Specifications and Comparison.pdf for more details.
We look forward to supporting your experiments with these powerful new tools. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or to schedule your consultation.
August 11, 2025
Flow Cytometry Resource Center (FCRC) – New Cell Sorters Coming soon + Temporary Service Adjustments (Sept 9–11, 2025)
We’re excited to share some great news that two new Cytek Aurora CS Cell Sorters will arrive at FCRC and will be installed in temporary spaces during the first week of September, for the next six months. We’ll share more details as soon as the instruments are ready for use.
Temporary FCRC Service Adjustments: From Tuesday, September 9 through Thursday, September 11, 2025, FCRC staff will be attending on-site training sessions with Cytek experts on the new Aurora CS systems.
During this period:
- Available as usual:
- Analyzer access: Cytek Auroras, LSR-Fortessa, NovoCyte Penteon, ThermoFisher Attune NxT
- Self-sorting on the Sony MA900
- Data analysis on the FCRC analysis workstations
- Unavailable:
- Staff-operated cell sorting
- Consultations
- Instrument training or technical support
Regular services will resume on Friday, September 12, 2025.
Please plan your experiments accordingly and schedule any staff-assisted activities either before or after the FCRC staff training period (September 9–11, 2025). Thank you for your understanding.
December 11, 2024
The Flow Cytometry Resource Center (FCRC) facilitates access to ImageStream service and support from the Columbia University Stem Cell Initiative (CSCI) Flow Cytometry Core (FCC).
The University has entered into an agreement with Columbia University, under which RU researchers can access the unique Cytek/AmnisⓇ ImageStreamX Mk II Imaging Cytometer with the full-service support from the Columbia University Stem Cell Initiative (CSCI) Flow Cytometry Core (FCC), led by Director of Operations, Michael Kissner.
The RU Flow Cytometry Resource Center (FCRC) owned and operated an ImageStream-X for over a decade, but it became clear the use by RU researchers was insufficient to justify continued support of the instrument. Determined to find a means for RU researchers to benefit from this unique Imaging Cytometer technology, Dr. Svetlana Mazel, Director of the FCRC, first arranged for RU researchers’ access to the ImageStreamX Mk II at the nearby New York Blood Center (NYBC). When the NYBC instrument became unavailable due to the staffing issues, Dr. Mazel continued her quest, using her deep and broad connections with other flow cytometrists in the NYC area and succeeded in finding the CSCI FCC option.
RU researchers receive a free initial internal consultation from FCRC Staff. To minimize administrative burden on RU researchers, access and payment for all the services provided by CSCI FCC are coordinated through the FCRC. Requests for services are handled via the FCRC-PPMS system. During a consultation with Michael Kissner, RU researchers will discuss experiment-specific details and schedule experiment(s). Samples should be hand delivered to CSCI in accordance with instructions from CSCI FCC. All data acquisition will be performed by CSCI FCC Staff in presence of the RU researcher. Experimental results received electronically may be analyzed by the RU researcher on the FCRC Analysis Workstations free of charge, or by CSCI Flow Cytometry Core for a fee.
For more information on how to utilize this service, including detailed pricing, researchers can reach out directly to the FCRC.
October 29, 2024
Flow Cytometry Resource Center Completes Relocation to WRB 14 and Launches New Groundbreaking Cell Sorter
A new BD FACSDiscover™ S8 Cell Sorter is now available for cell sorting and imaging in the Flow Cytometry Resource Center, taking “centerstage” in the Center’s new home on the 14th floor of the Weiss Research Building.
The Flow Cytometry Resource Center (FCRC), under the leadership of Dr. Svetlana Mazel, has smoothly and successfully relocated to the 14th floor of the Weiss Research Building (WRB). The fully renovated space provides improved bio-containment for sorting operations, dedicated sample prep area for end users, state of the art training space, integrated data analysis workstations, more energy-efficient infrastructure as well as closer proximity to the Genomics Resource Center (GRC) to facilitate collaboration on single-cell sequencing studies.
The relocation is part of a long-term plan to improve the safety and efficiency of FCRC operations. A top priority was the creation of separate BSL2 rooms for sorting, ensuring that biological samples are handled with the highest safety standards. Bringing all FCRC operations together in one contiguous space was another key benefit, allowing for better organization of equipment and operations, and the creation of a dedicated sample preparation area. This expanded capacity streamlines workflows for researchers and provides greater flexibility for training activities.
Minimal Downtime and Future Growth
The relocation from the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Bronk Building (DWB) was carefully planned and executed to minimize downtime, with most instruments coming back online after just one week.
The enhanced space on WRB 14, combined with the advanced capabilities of the newly installed BD FACSDiscover™ S8 Cell Sorter, positions the FCRC to better serve the Rockefeller research community. The move also freed up space to allow for the consolidation of all equipment and more efficient set up for the operations of the Fisher Drug Discovery Resource Center on DWB 2.
A Revolutionary Technology: The BD S8 Cell Sorter
The newly installed FACSDiscover S8 marks a leap forward in flow cytometry, providing scientists with information about cell morphology and cell cycle status, as well as localization of fluorescently labelled molecules inside (in the cytoplasm or in the nucleus) or on the membrane of the cells. Equipped with BD CellView™ Image Technology, the FACSDiscover S8 enables scientists to visually assess single-cells or cell-cell interactions (e.g., immuno-synapsis) in real time during high-speed sorting and even allows for real time decision-making based on the complex imaging parameters. The FACSDiscover S8 enables researchers to identify and sort cells that previously could not be identified or isolated. It also provides the ability to visually confirm cell characteristics in real time.
With its state-of-the-art technology and enhanced infrastructure, the FCRC remains committed to providing the highest level of support for scientific discovery.
For more information on the FACSDiscover S8 (BD FACSDiscover™ S8 Cell Sorter) and other services offered by the FCRC, visit the Flow Cytometry Resource Center page.
