MA900: Advanced Cell Sorting for Diverse Research Applications
The MA900 from Sony Biotechnology is a powerful cell sorter designed to meet the demands of a wide range of research applications. With the ability to support 12 fluorescence parameters and facilitate 4-way sorting, the MA900 combines cutting-edge technology with intuitive design to streamline the cell sorting process. This system integrates modern advancements, such as a patented microfluidic chip, comprehensive fluidic controls, and advanced automation, to enhance the reliability and ease of use of cell sorting, making it less subjective and more consistent.
Flexibility with Up to 14 Parameters from 4 Lasers
One of the standout features of the MA900 is its ability to detect up to 14 parameters, offering researchers significant flexibility in experimental design. The system is equipped with four excitation lasers—488 nm, 405 nm, 561 nm, and 638 nm—arranged across two beam spots. This setup allows for the detection of up to 12 fluorescence parameters and two scatter parameters, enabling a comprehensive analysis of cell populations. The use of free-form PMTs (photomultiplier tubes) ensures that fluorescence signals from each beam spot are accurately detected, providing researchers with detailed and reliable data.
Automation Across the Workflow
The MA900 excels in automation, offering a streamlined workflow that minimizes the need for manual intervention. Key processes such as startup, aseptic cleaning, quality control (QC), and sort setup are all managed with the touch of a button, ensuring optimal daily alignment of the microfluidic chip to the lasers. This high level of automation not only simplifies the operation but also improves the consistency of results, as the system automatically handles precise targeting and quick recovery from clogs. The inclusion of wizard-based cleaning cycles further enhances ease of use, allowing users to customize maintenance routines for aseptic sorting.
User-Friendly Software for Seamless Operation
The software that drives the MA900 is designed with user experience in mind. It guides operators through every step of the sorting process, from system startup to data analysis, making it easy to learn and use. Advanced controls within the software enable customization, allowing researchers to focus on the biological aspects of their experiments rather than the intricacies of the cytometer. At startup, the software initiates connections between all subsystems and runs diagnostics to ensure everything is functioning correctly. Once verified, the system displays a green ready message on the LCD monitor, indicating that it is prepared for operation.
Automated Chip Loading and Positioning
Setting up the MA900 is a straightforward process, thanks to its automated chip loading and positioning features. With a single touch, the microfluidic flow cell chip is installed, and the setup wizard guides users through the selection of lasers and optical filters. The system’s actuators precisely position the chip within the loader, while patented CoreFinder™ technology automates key steps such as chip alignment, laser delay calculation, drop delay, side stream angle, and breakoff position. This automation ensures that the system is consistently aligned for optimal performance, reducing the potential for user error and enhancing overall reliability.
Customizable Cleaning Cycles
Maintenance of the MA900 is simplified through its wizard-driven cleaning cycles, which can be customized to meet the specific needs of different labs. Default cleaning cycles, such as those using bleach or ethanol, are available, and the software guides users through each step. For added convenience, administrators can set up cleaning reminders and customize protocols to define cleaning times. This ensures that the system remains clean and ready for use, reducing downtime and maintaining the integrity of the sorted samples.
Versatile Sorting Capabilities
The MA900 offers a variety of sorting options to suit different research needs. Once events are gated on plots, target cells can be sorted using one of eight default or five custom sort modes, which allow for varying levels of purity and yield. The system supports sorting into 2-way and 4-way tubes, as well as 6-, 12-, 24-, 48-, 96-, and 384-well plates. This versatility makes the MA900 suitable for a wide range of applications, from basic research to more complex sorting tasks that require high throughput and precision.
Experiment Settings and Data Analysis
Creating and managing experiments on the MA900 is straightforward, thanks to its user-friendly software. Researchers can choose from new templates, recent experiments, or shared (public) templates in the experiment window. Once a template is selected, the software guides users through the experiment settings, such as sample groups, tubes, and pulse parameters for data acquisition. The compensation wizard simplifies the process of acquiring compensation data, while the drag-and-drop feature allows for easy adjustment of uncompensated populations.
During data acquisition, information is displayed on worksheets as dot plots and histograms, with various tools available to select, adjust, label, and measure statistics of target populations. Once the data is collected, it can be easily exported in FCS formats for use with third-party analysis software. This seamless integration of data acquisition and analysis tools ensures that researchers can focus on their experiments without being bogged down by technical details.
Automated Sort Monitoring and High-Throughput Sorting
The MA900’s automated sort monitoring feature is designed to maintain consistent sort performance. The software continuously monitors and adjusts the drop drive to ensure a stable breakoff point, which is crucial for achieving reliable sorting results. This feature also supports walk-away operation, allowing researchers to focus on other tasks while the system operates independently. Additionally, the system is capable of detecting clogs and empty tubes, further enhancing its reliability.
For labs that require high-throughput sorting, the optional Sort Deposition System is an invaluable tool. This hardware feature facilitates the precise deposition of cells into 6-, 12-, 24-, 48-, 96-, and 384-well plates or PCR plates. The MA900’s advanced capabilities, such as precise plate positioning and custom angled plate holders, ensure that single cells can be deposited with high efficiency, making it ideal for applications such as genomics and single-cell analysis.
Index Sorting Software
The MA900 also includes powerful index sorting software, which records the X and Y coordinates of each event sorted into a multiwell device. This feature enables researchers to track the scatter and fluorescence intensity of individual cells sorted into each well, providing valuable insights into clonal variability and other aspects of cellular behavior. The index file can be exported in CSV format or analyzed directly on the cell sorter, offering flexibility in how data is managed and interpreted.
Biosafety Cabinet for Enhanced Protection
For labs working with biohazardous materials, the MA900 can be installed inside an optional custom Class A2 Level II biosafety cabinet. These cabinets, designed and tested by Sony Biotechnology’s manufacturers, meet international standards such as the National Sanitation Foundation Standard 49 (NSF49) and the European Standard 12469. The cabinets feature a built-in aerosol management system that operates independently to evacuate aerosols from the sort collection chamber, maximizing protection for both personnel and products.
Conclusion
The MA900 cell sorter from Sony Biotechnology is a versatile and powerful tool that meets the diverse needs of modern research labs. With its advanced automation, customizable sorting options, and comprehensive safety features, the MA900 simplifies the cell sorting process, allowing researchers to focus on the biological questions that matter most. Whether you’re conducting routine cell sorting or tackling complex, multi-parameter experiments, the MA900 provides the flexibility, reliability, and ease of use required to advance your research.
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