New Users
Welcome to the Flow Cytometry Core Facility (FCCF). The information below will help you start using our services as quickly as possible. If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact our staff.
The FCCF offers cell sorting service, analytical cytometry, metabolic measurements and individualized support for experiment planning and troubleshooting.
To use our analytical flow cytometers and the Seahorse metabolic analyzer, you will receive an instrument introduction, after which you can choose to use the device with or without assistance from our staff. For our sorters we currently offer only operator-based service. Trained users can access the analyzers of the FCCF 24/7, whereas assisted applications are available during our operating hours Mon - Fr from 9.00 - 17.30.
The best way to contact us is at – this will reach the entire FCCF staff. For assistance during normal operating hours you can also call the lab at +41 44 632 50 85.
Please follow the New User Checklist below to get started!
- Register your project for analysis, sorting or metabolic assays. Please fill in all required fields. If you are not sure how to fill in the fields, contact our staff.
- Register for our booking system at https://ezbooking.ethz.ch/
- After project registration, our staff will evaluate the registration. If there are no further questions, we will activate your booking account for the desired services. You will receive a confirmation email from our staff once you have been activated in our booking system.
- Log into the booking system, select the desired object, date and time. If you book our analysers/metabolic assay for the first time or desire assistance, click "Add" under "Accessories" and tick the option "With support". When booking assisted analysis, please send us an email to ensure that one of our staff members is available.
- When booking a sort, please add in the "Comments" the required nozzle size (if known) and the kind of collection tube/plate/slide, so that we know how to prepare the instrument for your experiment.
- Read our Facility Use Policies below.
- When you are ready to publish your data, please remember to cite the FCCF in your publications.
- External users are welcome. For pricing of external users, check our pricing list. Internal rates are applied to users from the University of Zurich and the UniSpital.
Cancellation Policy for Sorting
A 48 hour cancellation notice is required to avoid charges being applied to your account. Failing to cancel your appointment at least two days before your scheduled sort will result in you being charged for the original hours reserved despite absence or tardiness. Unused booked time will be charged in full.
Cancellation Policy for Analysis
Assisted analysis appointments need to be cancelled at least 24 hours before scheduled time.
Independent analysis can be changed and cancelled until the start of the appointment.
The data generated on any of our instruments is transferred to the FCCF server. Access to the server is available either through the computer workstation in our lab, or upon request from any computer within the ETH domain.
Data management Policy
– The data generated on any instrument will remain on the the acquisition computer for 1 month. Older data will be deleted.
– FCS files generated on the sorters of our facility are transferred to our server after completion of the experiment.
– FCS files generated on the analyzers of the facility need to be exported to the server by the users themselves. The use of mobile storage devices (e.g. USB sticks) on the acquisition computers is not allowed.
– Data files transferred to the server will remain there for 6 months. Older data will be deleted.
– The function of the FCCF server is to facilitate transfer of the data. We offer no guarantee for the safety of the data stored on it. Data preservation is ultimately the responsibility of the user. The server and acquisition computers are not designed as safe storage space.