Cell preparation for single-cell experiments is one of the most important steps in the workflow. Minimizing the presence of cellular aggregates, dead cells, and noncellular nucleic acids is critical to obtaining high-quality data. To provide researchers with comprehensive solutions for cell preparation, we offer self-service access to cell counting, cell purification, cell sorting, and tissue dissociation instruments in the UMGC CoLab.
Available Instruments
Cell counting: Luna-FL Cell Counter
Equipped with dual fluorescence and brightfield optics, the LUNA-FL from Logos Biosystems can assess cell counts, viability, and GFP transfection efficiency without being limited by cell type or size. The LUNA-FL can distinguish primary cells, such as PBMCs, splenocytes, neutrophils, and stem cells, from undesirable debris for accurate cell count and viability results.
Location: 1-210 CCRB
Training: Required
Cell purification: LeviCell EOS
The LeviCell EOS by LevitasBio is a sophisticated instrument for viable cell purification and targeted cell depletion, which utilizes cellular levitation to:
- Enrich viable cells without labeling or high pressure in a hands-free 20-minute run
- Remove debris and dead cells, even from samples with low viability
- Recover viable cells from samples with as few as 10,000 cells
- View samples in real-time during separation
- Four lanes per cartridge
Location: 1-210 CCRB
Training: Required
Cell sorting: MACSQuant Tyto
The MACSQuant Tyto by Miltenyi is a next-generation benchtop cell sorter equipped with 3 lasers, which allows for 10-parameter cell sorting. The sorting process occurs exclusively within the disposable, fully closed MACSQuant Tyto Cartridge, which keeps samples contamination-free and prevents aerosol and droplet formation. Unlike during conventional droplet sorting procedures, cells do not experience high pressure, they are not decompressed, and no charge is applied.
Location: 3-230E CCRB
Training: Required
Tissue dissociation: Singulator 200
The Singulator 200 by S2 Genomics enables rapid and hands-off tissue dissociations, making it easy for researchers to reproducibly prepare suspensions of nuclei or high-viability cells, including isolating nuclei from FFPE samples (available soon). Key highlights:
- Temperature control ensures the tissues, cells, and nuclei are incubated at the optimal temperature for each preparation
- Low input requirement enables the utilization of more samples for single-cell applications
- Reproducible results through automation and protocol standardization
- Fast operation times reduce the stress on tissues
Location: 1-210 CCRB
Training: Required
Getting Started
The CoLab is a co-working space within the UMGC that provides shared access to our lab and instruments, and training in genomic methods. If you are interested in training on a cell preparation instrument, contact Aaron Becker, the CoLab Lead, at colab@umn.edu.
UMN researchers
- Currently, there is no cost to using the cell preparation instruments.
- Instrument training is provided at no cost.
- CoLab workstations are provided at no cost.
- Researchers are responsible for reagent and cartridge costs.
External researchers
Outside organizations and universities can access the CoLab and will be charged a training and instrument usage fee.
Location
The cell preparation instruments are housed in the UMGC CoLab space. The CoLab is located at 1-210 Cancer and Cardiovascular Research Building (2231 6th St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455) on the East Bank of the University of Minnesota.
Additional location details:
- Building access: A Ucard is needed to enter the CCRB building.
- Lab location: Using the main CCRB entrance, the 1-210 CCRB lab is the first hallway on the left and the second door on the left.
Training
Training is required to use the cell prep instruments and receive Ucard access to the lab. New users will begin with an orientation to the CoLab and can schedule an orientation time here. After orientation, a separate time will be scheduled to train on a cell prep instrument. If you have general questions about the CoLab and training, contact Aaron Becker, the CoLab Lead, at colab@umn.edu.
CoLab
The CoLab is located within the UMGC’s CCRB facility and features dedicated, fully equipped lab benches for individual use and 1,000 square feet of amenities, standard equipment, specialized instrumentation, and freezer storage. Altogether, UMGC staff have decades of technical experience and extensive knowledge of instrumentation and workflows to share. Training and bench space access are provided at no cost to UMN researchers.