Decreased signal in FL3 with SE upgrade

From: David_C_McFarland@sbphrd.com
Date: Wed Dec 20 2000 - 18:14:50 EST


Try moving the fluorescence height adjust control a little bit to see if FL3
improves.  It could just be an alignment problem.  On occasion, I've had to
sacrifice a little FL1 signal to boost FL3.  If you have to move it a lot, tell
your engineer to do an alignment to fix things.  In the future pay attention to
FL3 while you are doing daily alignment.  This has saved me some grief.

David McFarland
SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals
---------------------- Forwarded by David C McFarland/DEV/PHRD/SB_PLC on
12/20/2000 18:09 ---------------------------


ANDREW.MORSCHAUSER@spcorp.com on 19-Dec-2000 14:04



To: cyto-inbox
cc:    (bcc: David C McFarland/DEV/PHRD/SB_PLC)
Subject:  Decreased signal in FL3 with SE upgrade





This message is directed towards FACSVantage users that have upgraded their
machine from a FACSVantage to a FACSVantageSE w/Turbosort.  I am
experiencing a
decreased sensitivity in FL-3.  When comparing alignment particles (cRBC,
Alignflow beads, Calibrite beads) between a FACSVantage, FACSVantageSE w/TSO
and
a FACSCalibur, results have shown the FACSVantage SE signal to be
significantly
lower than the Vantage or Calibur.  Furthermore, when looking at splenocytes
stained with CD4 PE-Cy7 (787/40 filter), there is no discrimination between
negative/unstained cells vs. stained cells.  The signals on the FACSVantage
and
Calibur are nearing the third decade while the FACSVantageSE signal was
negative
with log amps and voltages greater than 900V.  I tried increasing the log
offset
as far as it will go and found little if any improvement in the signal.

Boards have been replaced and new PMTs in FL3 have done nothing to remedy
the
problem.  BD has been very responsive to my concerns, but the problem is
still
present and I was wondering if anyone else has experienced similar problems
with
the extra mirror and different optical path for a 5-color FACSVantage SE.
Any
comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


Andy Morschauser
Schering-Plough Research Institute
Department of Immunology
2015 Galloping Hill Road
K15-3-3945
Kenilworth, NJ  07033
908-740-3089



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