An automated 96‐well‐plate loader for the FACScan^®

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Illges, Harald^;

Affiliations: University of Konstanz, Faculty of Biology, Department of Immunology, Konstanz, Germany

Note: [] Correspondence to: Harald Illges, University of Konstanz, Faculty of Biology, Department of Immunology, P.O. Box 5560, M662, 78457 Konstanz, Germany. Tel.: +49 7531 882255; Fax: +49 7531‐883102; E‐mail: Harald.Illges@uni‐konstanz.de; http:// www.immunologie.uni‐konstanz.de.

Abstract: Staining multiple samples for data acquisition with a flow cytometer is done in 96‐well plates to save time and make large data assessment in one working day possible. However, the inability of the FACScan® to take up the samples from 96‐well plates is a major drawback. In order to avoid the individual transfer of samples to tubes, we have developed a system, which allows using the FACScan® with 96‐well plates. The machine consists of a programmable control module and a loader which moves the 96‐well plate in 3 axis well by well along the sample collector. The machine is equipped with a wash buffer tank to avoid cross contamination of samples and a shaking option to avoid sedimentation of cells during acquisition. The machine can be further developed into a full automatic loader if connected to the FACS Station. In 24 hours about 7,000 samples with 10,000 cells each can be acquired.

Journal: Analytical Cellular Pathology, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 99-103, 1999