In June, BD Biosciences, which holds the largest share in the flow cytometry market, released the BD FACS­Jazz Cell Sorting System, an entry-level flow cytometer. A stream-in-air cell sorter, the FACSJazz utilizes the same Accudrop technology for determining drop delay as BD’s more advanced cell-sorting systems, the FACSAria and Influx, but occupies just 20 x 20 in of bench space. The price of the FACSJazz varies with configuration but is about $200,000. “This entry-level system is suitable for experiments that do not require more than eight parameters of measurement and detection,” explained J. Clark Mason, senior director of Marketing, Cell Analysis, at BD Biosciences. “The system also compliments the higher complexity and more expensive cell sorters, freeing the latter from routine or simple-sorting experiments.”

The FACSJazz is geared toward researchers with any level of flow cytometry experience. “The FACSJazz Cell Sorting System is designed as an entry-level cell sorter with much of the technology simplified for accessibility, but without compromising the performance of the higher-level systems,” said Dr. Mason. Some user friendly features include pre-adjusted settings and digital controls.

The FACSJazz can work with up to six colors. It includes a blue laser and optional red and violet lasers. “[The system supports] six different fluorescent antibodies that are excited by one to three lasers. [The antibodies,] for example, bind to receptors on the cell surface and are selected according to user choice,” said Dr. Mason. To distinguish live and dead cells, the system uses a violet laser to excite a dye that binds to cells with compromised membranes.