Advancing multidisciplinary research with cell sorting

Flow cytometry and cell sorting are indispensable tools in modern science, enabling researchers to precisely identify, analyze, and isolate specific cell populations. These powerful techniques are crucial for studying complex biological systems, identifying rare cell types, and advancing research in fields like oncology, immunology, stem cell science, and microbiology.

Overcoming the challenges of traditional cell sorters

Despite their transformative potential, traditional cell sorters require extensive training, operator oversight, and a deep technical understanding of complex workflows, making cell sorting a resource-intensive process. These barriers can create bottlenecks in busy core facilities, as researchers often find themselves constrained by limited access to equipment or staff.

These issues are especially pronounced in laboratories handling diverse research applications, such as the Flow Cytometry Core Facility (FCCF) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This multidisciplinary hub supports over 200 laboratories and processes a broad range of sample types. “We handle everything from yeast and fungal spores to bacteria and tumor infiltrates,” explained Dagna Sheerar, the Research Services Assistant Director at the FCCF. “If it’s a small enough particle and tagged with fluorescence, we can probably analyze it on our instruments.”

Transforming operational workflows with the MA900 Multi-Application Cell Sorter

The FCCF’s breadth of research places unique demands on its workflows, requiring flexible instrumentation that can handle everything from basic fluorescent protein assays to highly complex 50-color spectral flow cytometry experiments. The facility chose the MA900 Multi-Application Cell Sorter from Sony Biotechnology to address these challenges, thanks to its combination of user accessibility and automation. “The MA900 Cell Sorter offers a streamlined and highly automated workflow that significantly lowers the barriers to entry for researchers,” Dagna noted. “While traditional sorters typically demand intensive training, we’ve developed an intuitive training program that typically takes four to six hours. Researchers can then independently operate the sorter, making it as easy to use as our analysis instruments. This enables more labs to access sorting capabilities without the need for dedicated technical staff.”

The simplicity of this solution has transformed the core facility’s workflows. The MA900 Cell Sorter’s intuitive interface and automated features – such as quick setup and standardized quality control – enable even inexperienced users to achieve reliable results. Dagna continued: “This has been a game changer, particularly for researchers who might only need to sort occasionally, or after hours when staff assistance isn’t available. Automation ensures stable and reproducible sorting, making it accessible to a wider range of users. For a core facility, this reliability and ease of use make the MA900 an invaluable tool.”

Flexibility for multidisciplinary applications

The MA900 Cell Sorter also provides excellent flexibility, accommodating a wide range of sample types and experimental needs. The system’s adaptability extends to various sorting formats, including multiple tube sizes and 96-well plates, which are essential for both single-cell and high-throughput applications. This versatility makes the MA900 Cell Sorter an ideal tool for a facility that supports such a diverse range of research projects.

“The ability to swap out sample lines minimizes the risk of cross-contamination between different sample types,” Dagna explained. “For example, if a user is sorting bacteria in the morning and stem cells in the afternoon, we can easily train them to swap out the sample lines, ensuring sample integrity. Once the task is complete, we can store their dedicated lines for reuse during their next session, offering both convenience and cost efficiency.”

Empowering researchers and staff

Automation on the MA900 Cell Sorter has not only improved user access, but also freed up staff to focus on advanced support services. “The time we save on instrument operation allows us to delve into data analysis, high-dimensional algorithms, and machine learning approaches,” Dagna said. These capabilities have enhanced the core’s ability to assist researchers at every stage of their projects, from experimental design to troubleshooting and data interpretation. “By empowering researchers to take control of their experiments and freeing staff for more complex tasks, the MA900 has bridged the gap between accessibility and precision, enabling us to support groundbreaking discoveries across disciplines.”

Looking ahead, advances in flow cytometry will continue to emphasize automation, speed, and advanced data analysis capabilities, ensuring this essential technology remains at the forefront of scientific discovery. For more information on the research supported by the Flow Cytometry Core Facility at University of Wisconsin, visit https://cancer.wisc.edu/research/resources/flow/

Research publications utilizing the MA900 Cell Sorter at the University of Wisconsin:

1. Li M-H, Kuetemeyer JM, Yallowitz AR, Wellik DM. Characterization of a novel Hoxa5eGFP mouse line. Dev Dyn. 2023;252:536‐546. PubMed
2. Jung HS, Sedzro DM, Liu P, Slukvin II. A NOTCH4 intron 28 regulatory element controls arterial specification and lymphoid development from hPSCs. Blood Vessels, Thromb Hemost. 2025;2:100046. ScienceDirect
3. Jung HS, Uenishi G, Park MA, et al. SOX17 integrates HOXA and arterial programs in hemogenic endothelium to drive definitive lympho-myeloid hematopoiesis. Cell Rep. 2024;34:108758. PubMed
4. Jung HS, Suknuntha K, Kim YH, et al. SOX18-enforced expression diverts hemogenic endothelium-derived progenitors from T towards NK lymphoid pathways. iScience. 2023;26:106621. PubMed
5. Casco A, Ohashi M, Johannsen E. Epstein-Barr virus induces host shutoff extensively via BGLF5-independent mechanisms. Cell Rep. 2024;43:114743. PubMed
6. Huff WX, Bam M, Shireman JM, et al. Aging- and tumor-mediated increase in CD8+CD28− T cells might impose a strong barrier to success of immunotherapy in glioblastoma. Immunohorizons. 2021;5:395-409. PubMed
7. Lal PB, Wells F, Myers KS, Banerjee R, Guss AM, Kiley PJ. Improving mobilization of foreign DNA into Zymomonas mobilis strain ZM4 by removal of multiple restriction systems. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2021;87:e0080821. PubMed
8. Han M, Ishikawa T, Bermick JR, et al. IL-1β prevents ILC2 expansion, type 2 cytokine secretion, and mucus metaplasia in response to early-life rhinovirus infection in mice. Allergy. 2020;75:2005-2019. PubMed
9. Wang G, Jiang L, Yan Y, et al. Cellular SLC35B4 promotes internalization during influenza A virus entry. mBio. 2025;16:e0019425. PubMed