After standardizing the Usage Rules in October, the platform has followed up with the normalization of maintenance and QC procedures by the staff.
We are now entering a phase focused on normalizing procedures for users. As part of this process, several changes have been implemented in Oeiras, effective from 14 February 2025. These changes include updated startup procedures, cleaning protocols between users, shutdown procedures, new waste tanks, and new logsheets.

STARTUP CYTOMETERS
All cytometers are turned on at 9am on weekdays, if they are not booked before, and a QC check is performed. If you're the first user of the day before 9.30am or on weekends and public holidays, you should follow the ‘Are you starting up?’ protocol that you'll find next to the equipment. If the cytometer (BD LSR Fortessa SORP & BD LSR Fortessa X20) will not be used within 3 hours, Flow staff will turn the cytometer off, in this case, if you are the next user you must turn it on 30 minutes prior to acquisition.

CLEANING BETWEEN USERS - BD LSR Fortessa SORP & BD LSR Fortessa X20
Run 1 min of CLEAN (bleach) with arm to the side
Run 10 min of CLEAN (bleach) with arm to the center
Run 1 min of WATER + AZIDE with arm to the side
Run 5 min of WATER + AZIDE with arm to the center
Don't forget to record the cleaning steps

CLEANING BETWEEN USERS - BD LSR Fortessa SORP + HTS
3 wells with 300µl CLEAN (bleach)
3 wells with 300µl Water+AZIDE
3 wells with 300µl CLEAN (bleach)
3 wells with 300µl WATER+AZIDE

CLEANING BETWEEN USERS - Cytek Aurora
Perform a Clean Flow Cell with CLEAN & WATER+ Azide
Run 2 min of CLEAN (Bleach)
Run 2 min of WATER+AZIDE
Don't forget to record the cleaning steps

SHUTDOWN - BD LSR Fortessa SORP & BD LSR Fortessa X20
After cleaning the instrument, if you are the last user of the day or there is a gap of 3h between you and the next user, you should TURN OFF the cytometer and computer.

SHUTDOWN - Cytek Aurora
After cleaning the instrument, TURN OFF the cytometer, if you are the last user of the day on weekends, or after 5pm on weekdays. To shutdown the instrument and computer you need to perform a Fluidics Shutdown with:
CLEAN (bleach)
WATER+ Azide
CONTRAD 30% (ready to use)
WATER+ Azide

WASTE TANKS
Waste tanks have been placed in all the cytometers. From now on, waste is collected in these tanks and must be replaced by users whenever they see that the volume is close to its maximum capacity or hear an audible signal. Full tanks should be placed in the corridor and replacement tanks are under the bench next to the Platform.

LOGSHEETS
In order to make it easier for us to identify, keep track and solve problems, you will now find logsheets next to the cytometers that you must fill in including the time you arrive to the equipment and the time you leave. If you have a small issue during your acquisition, you should write in the "Comments". If it is an urgent problem, please reach out to Flow staff or call the emergency number: 912 858 097.

This page is created and maintained by the Flow Cytometry Platform

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