The FP7000 Spectral Cell Sorter is a cutting-edge instrument designed to meet the demands of modern, high-parameter cell sorting applications. Built on Sony’s patented spectral technology, this system offers a sophisticated combination of optics, electronics, and fluidics, providing researchers with the ability to sort cells across a vast array of parameters, supporting more than 44 distinct colors. The FP7000 integrates seamlessly with workflows from Sony’s cell sorter portfolio, offering unparalleled automation, precision, and efficiency. It is an ideal solution for busy laboratories that require both simple and complex high-parameter sorting capabilities.
Unparalleled Spectral Technology for Advanced Sorting
At the heart of the FP7000 is Sony’s patented spectral technology, which sets it apart from conventional flow cytometry and cell sorting systems. Unlike traditional systems that rely on specific optical filters for each fluorochrome, the FP7000 employs spectral technology that captures the entire emission spectrum of each fluorochrome, enabling the detection of more than 44 colors simultaneously. This capability is further enhanced by the system’s ability to detect autofluorescence signals from 6 lasers—ranging from ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths. The FP7000 is equipped with 182 photomultiplier tube (PMT) detectors, ensuring comprehensive data acquisition and enabling researchers to analyze complex cell populations with high precision.
The system’s optical capabilities are closely aligned with Sony’s ID7000™ Spectral Cell Analyzer, allowing for smooth assay transfer between analysis and sorting. This feature is particularly beneficial for researchers who need to replicate their analyses on different instruments, ensuring consistency and reliability in their experiments. The FP7000’s optical system is also capable of detecting particles as small as 100 nanometers, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from basic research to clinical diagnostics.
High-Performance Sorting for Diverse Applications
One of the standout features of the FP7000 is its high-speed, real-time spectral unmixing capability, which allows for the simultaneous detection and sorting of cell populations at rates of up to 25,000 events per second. This high throughput is achieved without compromising accuracy, thanks to the system’s patented unmixing algorithm. This algorithm is designed to resolve closely spaced fluorochromes with exceptional precision, eliminating the need for traditional compensation techniques, which can be subjective and prone to error. As a result, the FP7000 produces high-quality, reproducible data that is essential for complex multicolor experiments.
The FP7000 supports a wide range of nozzle sizes, which can be easily interchanged to accommodate different cell types and sorting requirements. This flexibility is crucial for researchers working with diverse samples, as it allows for optimized sorting conditions tailored to the specific needs of each experiment. The system’s sheath excitation technology ensures robust operation across different nozzle sizes, forming stable droplets at frequencies ranging from 12kHz to 100kHz and at pressures between 70 kPa and 600 kPa. This versatility enables the FP7000 to perform both bulk sorting into tubes and high-precision single-cell sorting into multiwell plates, making it suitable for a variety of downstream applications.
Automation and Workflow Integration
The FP7000 is designed with automation in mind, making it accessible to researchers of varying expertise levels. One of the key features of the system is the CoreFinder™ algorithm, which automates several critical steps in the sorting process. This includes optical alignment, laser delay optimization, droplet calibration, sort delay optimization, and side stream adjustment. By automating these processes, the FP7000 eliminates the subjectivity associated with manual adjustments, ensuring consistent performance and reducing the likelihood of operator error. This automation not only streamlines the workflow but also significantly reduces the time required for instrument setup, allowing researchers to focus on their experiments rather than on the technical aspects of the sorter.
In addition to CoreFinder™, the FP7000 features guided workflows that further simplify the operation of the system. These workflows include the Spectral Reference Library, which provides a comprehensive database of spectral signatures for commonly used fluorochromes. This library can be used to streamline the setup of experiments, making it easier for researchers to select the appropriate settings for their specific applications. The system also includes an autofluorescence unmixing feature, which enables the identification and removal of autofluorescence signals from the data. This is particularly important when working with heterogeneous samples that may contain cells or particles with high autofluorescence, as it improves the resolution of dim signals and enhances the overall quality of the data.
Real-Time Data Analysis and Flexibility
The FP7000 is not only a powerful sorter but also an advanced analytical tool. The system’s real-time spectral unmixing capability allows for the live analysis of data as it is being acquired, providing researchers with immediate feedback on their experiments. This real-time analysis is complemented by the system’s ability to perform 6-way sorting, which enables the isolation of multiple cell populations simultaneously. This feature is particularly useful for researchers who need to sort complex samples into multiple subsets for downstream applications, such as single-cell sequencing or functional assays.
The system’s flexibility extends to its data output formats, which are compatible with a wide range of third-party analysis software. This ensures that researchers can easily integrate the FP7000 into their existing workflows without the need for extensive reformatting or data conversion. The FP7000’s user-friendly interface and intuitive software design make it easy to learn and use, even for those with limited experience in spectral cell sorting. The software includes customizable wizards and guided protocols that assist users in setting up experiments, performing routine maintenance, and troubleshooting common issues.
Meeting the Needs of Modern Laboratories
The FP7000 Spectral Cell Sorter is designed to meet the diverse needs of modern laboratories, from basic research to complex, high-parameter applications. Its combination of advanced spectral technology, high-performance sorting, and automated workflows makes it an indispensable tool for researchers seeking to push the boundaries of cell sorting and analysis. Whether you are working with simple two-color assays or complex panels with more than 44 colors, the FP7000 provides the reliability, precision, and flexibility needed to achieve your research goals.
In conclusion, the FP7000 Spectral Cell Sorter represents a significant advancement in the field of flow cytometry and cell sorting. With its unparalleled spectral technology, robust performance, and user-friendly design, the FP7000 is well-equipped to handle the most demanding sorting applications, making it a valuable asset for any laboratory. Whether you are conducting basic research or pursuing cutting-edge applications, the FP7000 provides the tools and capabilities needed to deliver high-quality, reproducible results with confidence.
