Training in cell sorting

We occasionally provide training in cell sorting to researchers falling into one of the following categories:

1) Projects involving a lot of cell sorts (1-2 x per week) for at least a couple of months.

2) Users who often need to sort outside of service hours (e.g. unexpected patient samples, which have to be processed immediately).

3) Technicians from research groups who are willing to handle all sorts of the whole research group.

All requests for cell sorter training have to be approved by the facility head. Please write to Claudia Dumrese  and provide a brief overview about your project/lab situation, the anticipated number of sorts and what kind of samples you are going to sort.

We expect that you are able to operate an analyzer independently. This includes knowledge of the working principles underlying state of the art flow cytometers and a good understanding of the key parameters important for the optimization of a flow cytometry experiment.

We observed that users without practical experience in FACS Diva software have massive difficulties during the first training sessions. If you were trained on a different instrument, we highly recommend using one of our analyzers to make yourself familiar with this software before the start of the sorter training.

1. Basic sorter training curriculum
   This training will teach you all the essential steps to set up and operate the BD Aria/S6 sorter independently. The program consists of three technical introduction sessions (each 2–3 hours) conducted in small groups to keep costs low. 
   (Sessions are billed as operator-based sorts.) 
   • Topics for sorter training:
     • Instrument start-up, cleaning and shutdown procedures
     • Instrument setup and drop delay calibration
     • Experimental workflow
     • Sort optimization and quality control
     • Troubleshooting common issues
     • Biosafety considerations
2. First sort:
   After completing the basic curriculum, you will perform your first “independent” sort under the full supervision of an experienced operator.
   (Billed as an operator-based sort.)
3. Power user in training phase:
   During this phase, you will schedule sorting appointments that are partially supervised by facility staff. At the beginning, an operator will assist you with any questions related to instrument handling and help optimize your technical and experimental workflow.
   Supervision will gradually decrease until you can operate the sorter independently, with an operator available only for exceptional issues. Work flow optimization, technical trouble shooting and biosaftey considerations are addressed and re-iterated "on the job", whenever issues arise.
   This phase typically requires about 10 appointments and must be completed at our Irchel or Schlieren locations during service hours.
   (Billed at a reduced rate as “Power User in Training.”)
4. Trouble-shooting & exam session:
   In the final training session, you will work with a deliberately malfunctioning sorter. This exercise is designed to test and improve your troubleshooting skills. We will also assess your understanding of all sorting-related topics to evaluate your readiness.
   (Billed as an operator-based sort.)
5. Power User:
   After successfully passing the exam, you will become an independent "Power User", with full booking rights and 24/7 access to the facility sorters.

Note: The sorter training does not count toward ECTS credits. However, we can provide confirmation of training upon request.