Flow Cytometry Core

The BCO Flow Cytometry Core offers open access to state-of-the-art flow cytometry instruments, including a spectral cell sorter with imaging capabilities and both spectral and conventional analysers.

About flow cytometry

Flow cytometry is a powerful and versatile analytical technology used to simultaneously measure and analyse multiple physical and chemical characteristics of individual particles—typically cells—as they pass through a focused beam of light in a fluid stream. The key properties assessed include Relative cell size, Granularity or internal complexity and Fluorescence intensity, which reflects the presence of specific markers or molecules. These measurements are obtained via an optical-to-electronic system that detects how each particle scatters laser light and emits fluorescence. The technology is suitable for analysing any suspended particle or cell ranging from 0.5 to 130 micrometres in diameter. For cells derived from solid tissues, disaggregation is required prior to analysis. In addition to analysis, cell sorting capabilities enable the isolation and collection of specific cell populations for downstream applications. Once sorted, cells can be further examined using microscopic, biochemical, or functional assays, facilitating deeper insights into cellular behaviour and characteristics.

Instructions

BCO Flow Cytometry Core is open to all users, including academic researchers, companies, and non-academic collaborators. To access our services, please contact us at flowcytometry(at)oulu.fi.

We offer a range of flow cytometry solutions, including:

  • Spectral and conventional analysis with the FACSymphony A5 SE Analyzer
  • Basic analysis and cell counting using the Accuri C6 Plus Analyzer
  • Cell sorting with the FACSDiscover S8 Cell Sorter, featuring Cellview Imaging Technology

We provide free expert guidance in:

  • Panel and experimental design (staining protocols, control selection, compensation/unmixing setup)
  • Troubleshooting and optimization
  • Data analysis

Whether you're new to flow cytometry or an experienced user, we’re here to support your research every step of the way.

We also offer FlowJo Portal licenses to academic university researchers for a monthly or annual fee, providing access to powerful tools for flow cytometry data analysis.

Booking – Service/Training requests

BCO Flow Cytometry Core Services

Flow cytometric analysis and cell sorting can be done either with operator assistance or independently as a self-user after completion of instrument specific training.

Assisted analysis on FACSymphony A5 SE

Flow Cytometry Core personnel can acquire samples for non-trained users or to all users requesting assisted analysis.

Contact us via email flowcytometry(at)oulu.fi. Flow Cytometry Core personnel will contact you by email to arrange a pre-analysis meeting to discuss details of the analysis. Finally, a timeslot can be scheduled in the instruments booking calendar.

Assisted cell sorting on FACSDiscover S8 Cell Sorter

Flow Cytometry Core personnel can sort samples for non-trained users or all users requesting cell sorting.

Contact us via email flowcytometry(at)oulu.fi. Flow Cytometry Core personnel will contact you by email to arrange a pre-sort meeting to discuss details of the sorting. Finally, a timeslot can be scheduled in the instruments booking calendar.

Self-user analysis/cell sorting after completion of instrument specific training

If you want to use the analyser or cell sorter frequently and independently (without operator assistance) or if you want to use the flow cytometry instruments out-of-hours, an instrument specific training can be arranged (see instructions below – request training).

Request training

To request training (analyser or cell sorter):

  • Contact us by email: flowcytometry(at)oulu.fi.
  • The Flow Cytometry Core personnel will give you an introduction and basic training on using a flow cytometer analyser/cell sorter. The first training session can also be arranged as a group training session with 1-3 participants.
  • After the first training session, 2-4 assisted training sessions with the operator must be completed, the number of sessions depending on the user´s previous experience. These hands-on training sessions are customized to researchers’ needs, to gain required skills to perform analysis or cell sorting independently.
  • Once the training sessions are completed, you are qualified as a self-user. Trained self-users have complete flexibility and access to self-operated and out-of-hours analysis and will be able to book the flow cytometry instruments independently.

Service fees

New service fees for academic users (University of Oulu) from 1. September 2025.

FACSDiscover S8 Cell Sorter with Cellview

Cell sorting service fee (operator assistance) 45€/hour (minimum 130€/day, including start-up/setup fee 40€/booking)

Bacteria sorting and analysis: An additional cleaning service fee will be charged for sorting bacteria samples, 80€/booking

EV sorting and measurements: an additional setup fee including the size calibration beads will be charged, 50€/booking.

Sample preparation fee 35€/booking.

FACSymphony A5 SE Analyser

Analysis with operator assistance (service fee) 35€/hour

Start-up/setup fee 10€/booking.

Accuri C6 Plus Analyser

Analysis with operator assistance (service fee) 25€/hour

FlowJo Software Portal Licenses to academic university researchers

354€/year (billing once a year in September)

59€/month (billing monthly)

Instruments

Cell sorting

Analysers – conventional or spectral flow cytometry

Contact information

Reservations and inquiries: flowcytometry(at)oulu.fi

Nora Pernaa
tel. +358 50 574 8904
e-mail: nora.pernaa(at)oulu.fi


Virpi Glumoff
tel. +358 40 016 5981
email: virpi.glumoff(at)oulu.fi


BCO Flow Cytometry Core:

Biocenter Oulu Kieppi Laboratories (Aapistie 5A, 2nd floor), room 233A