Methods

Incucyte S3: Acceptable Vessel List

 

Please click link above for a list of vessels currently approved on the S3 unit. If you would like to configure a different vessel from this list, please contact staff. 

 

Incucyte Training

All new users must schedule an orientation with staff to gain access to the Incucyte. Email staff with a cost object to schedule the training.

The full training will cover experimental set up and preliminary data analysis. An initial 1h training will cover plate set-up for imaging, a brief orientation, and policy review for instrument use. Upon data collection, a follow up 1h training will be available to review preliminary data analysis.

No plates or cells are required for the first orientation/training.

 

SeqWell Protocol

via Single Cell Methods

SeqWell Guidelines

Assisted SeqWell: What to expect?

SeqWell is currently offered as an “Assisted” Service through the Nanowell Cytometry Platform (Flow Cytometry Core). The Platform works in collaboration with the Koch Institute Ingegrated Genomics & Bioinformatics Core/MIT BioMicro Center to process samples from SeqWell for amplification, sequencing and data analysis. Before you begin, you will need to set up a Consultation with the Core staff (Stuart & Shanu) in which the following questions will be addressed: 

  • What cell type are you planning to use?
  • What is the source, viability & availability of your cells?
  • If using dissociated cells, do you have a protocol in place for tissue dissociation?
  • If using flow sorted cells, do you know the impact to your cells?
    • Ensure that cell viability does not decrease within 1-2h of dissociation/sorting

Before the first run:

  • Optimize your sample preparation protocol. This can take a long time, and will have a huge impact on the quality of single cell data. Therefore, it is critical to ensure the highest quality starting material.
  • Minimize presence of dead cells, degrading nuclear material or anything that can impact reverse transcription in your sample preparation. Keeping cell prep time to a minimal will avoid decrease in cell viability or in clumping of cells as well.
  • We recommend a quick viability check using Trypan Blue to estimate cell viability in samples you will bring.
  • The Core staff will enter your project request in iLab; the user must have an iLab account and must review and approve the charges for any work can begin.

Important information:

  • Plan to bring 50,000 cells in 200 microliters of media with serum
  • Before transferring cells to tubes for transfer to core, coat tubes in BSA/FBS overnight to prevent cell loss
  • Cut off time for receiving samples for SeqWell is 11AM
  • Up to 6 samples may be run at once
  • Approximate turnaround time: 3-4 weeks (from sample receipt to completion of basic data analysis)

Getting ready for the run:

A few days before the scheduled run, check in with the staff to review the experimental details (cell number, how to deliver the cells) and to confirm the schedule.

On the day before the run, the Core staff will prepare the arrays and membranes.

 What to bring: 

  1. Cells in complete media
    1. Minimize time between preparing, transporting and loading cells
    2. If the cells are coming from dissociation, coordinate with the Core staff in advance to ensure that there is minimal wait time between dissociation and loading of cells
    3. If you are performing FACS prior to SeqWell, coordinate with Core staff to minimize wait times

SeqWell Training: What to expect?

Consider getting trained for SeqWell only if one or more of the following conditions apply:

  1. You anticipate running 5 or more rounds of SeqWell samples (20 samples or more)
  2. Anticipate running samples in a BSL2+/3 facility
  3. Cannot work with the Core’s current scheduling constraints

SeqWell Training is offered in two stages:

  1. Beginner Level – The user becomes familiar with the hands-on process of SeqWell from bead loading to bead collection. Samples are processed up to (i.e. not including) the Reverse Transcription step. Experiments are run with "dummy" cells. Typically, 3-4 Beginner Level trainings are required before moving onto experimental samples, especially those that are limited or "precious". Two arrays will be processed during each training session.
  2. Independent Level – The user will move onto this level at the discretion of the Core staff. The users runs a SeqWell experiment with Core staff supervision. The user may use real/experimental samples during this training.  Costs related to library prep and sequencing (either through the BioMicro Center or elsewhere) are not included. Two arrays will be processed during each training session.