Policies and FAQs

Safety:

  • The Duke Human Vaccine Institute Flow Facility is capable of performing analysis and sorting of fixed and unfixed specimens from a wide-range of sources. 

  • We have the capability to safely work under Biosafety Levels 1, 2 and 3 and are registered to work with Select Agents.

  • A Hazard Assessment review of new projects will dictate the appropriate SOP for us to follow. This process is initiated BY THE END USER by completion of a simple online form.  

  • In conjunction with the DHVI Safety Team, the leadership of the RBL at Duke and the Duke Occupational and Environmental Saftey Office (OESO), we have developed Standard Operating Procedures for our facility.  These documents dictate how we work with your specimens in our facility.  

  • For PIs/End Users that need to provide protocol and procedure documentation to the Duke IBC, these documents can be attached to their registration and indicate that work will be performed in the DHVI Research Flow Cytometry Facility.

Data Management:

  • DHVI - Flow Facility Data Management Plan

Help

 


FAQs

Q. I’m a new user. How do I schedule time with the DHVI Flow Facility?

A. Visit the getting started page for details on using the DHVI Flow Facility.


Q. Can a Flow Facility Operator run my phenotyping samples?

A. No, we are no longer offering operator-assisted phenotyping on a regular basis. Contact the facility for special requests/collaborations.


Q. How do I get trained to use the cytometers?

A. Follow the steps on the getting started page.


Q. How do I get linked to a project (fund code) and/or PI in CoreResearch?

A. New users can be linked to projects and PIs by a PI, PI-delegate, or financial administrator. Please contact the appropriate personnel in your lab or department and indicate that you need to be linked to a project and PI in CoreResearch. You will need to be linked to a project and PI in order to make reservations on CoreResearch. 


Q. How do I register for a FlowJo site license or change my current hardware address?

A. Submit a request. Please note you will need to be linked to a valid fund code in CoreResearch.


Q. How do I retrieve my flow data from the flow facility?

A. If you are using the analysis cytometers as an independent user, you will transfer your data from the facility computers to your computer using your Duke Box account. If you used the facility for sorting, you will receive an email link from the facility to retrieve your data files.


Q. How can I know which cytometer is best for my panel of reagents (fluors)?

A. See the instruments page or visit FluoroFinder to build antibody panels customized for our instruments.


Q. I am new to immunophenotyping and flow cytometry.  How do I prepare samples for flow analysis?

A. For sample preparation, see our useful info page.  For customized consultation on assay and panel design, contact the facility.


Q. I've signed up to sort on the S02, but how do I get to the GHRB building?

A. The GHRB building is located behind MSRBII - from Research Drive, walk past MSRBII then go down the steps to the right. At the gate intercom, call security for access. Once inside GHRB, you will pass through an airport-like security check. Security will call your operator, who will then meet you in the lobby and escort you to the S02. 

  • 2017 Spring: New staff (Steve), CoreResearch Transition, Antibody Panels on Fluorofinder, FlowJo training, "How much sort time should I book?" 
  • 2017/2018 Winter: New staff (Ariel), Analysis Suite is Moving, Compensation Basics, Selecting the Best Nozzle Size, Showing Titration Data in FlowJo, Fluorofinder Tools
  • 2018 Spring: On the Move!, Back Gating, Sort Efficiency, Review: BenchSci
  • 2018/2019 Winter: Say hello to our little friend (Muse), Using the Compensation Wizard in FlowJo, A Guide to the Sort Stream
  • 2021 Spring/Summer: New Staff (Amanda), RTP Satellite Facility, Fortessa upgrade