 |
 |
 |
 |
There are two primary reasons that the self-operater sorting is so
successful here. (1) The machines are constantly being using by the
skilled operators for those people who don't which to self-operate, so
they are constantly fine-tuned and maintained at a very high level.
(2) Dave has put considerable effort to defining stable sort conditions
on each machine, that do not vary. It is almost recipe-like in the
approach. In fact, it takes me no more than 5 minutes from the time I
sit in front of the machine (having focussed and calibrated it with
beads), to set up the sort conditions and have it sorting. We use
exactly the same nozzle frequency, drop delay, and first drop distance
for every sort. Then we simply adjust the sheath pressure so that the
inter-drop distances are a preset value. Voila: perfect sorts. I
routinely get 99.7% purity with >98% recovery. (Also, it usually takes
me no more than 5 minutes to start up and calibrate the machine).
Admittedly, I am a seasoned operator. But we have "beginners" in our
lab and other labs at Stanford, who can barely change the sheath fluid
reservoir, but can set up good sorting conditions in 10-15 minutes. We
have dozens of graduate students and post docs at Stanford who do their
own sorting, and quite a few more who do their own operating for
analysis. (And, they do this not only on a FacstarPlus, but also on a
FACS II!--not the most user-friendly of machines).
This facility is proof that self-operating can work extremely well.
The only requirements are a well-maintained facility and reasonable training:
something that you should have anyway if you employ a full-time operator!
mr
|
|
|
|