This face to face course is run by the Researcher Academy as part of the Medicine and Health Sciences Faculty Training Programme.

The Researcher Academy courses are very popular and the majority are run in both semesters to give you the opportunity to attend at a time of the year that suits you. 

Target audience: Postgraduate research students and early career researchers in any faculty

Process: Lecture style with interactive group discussions.

Course Description:

Provided by the University of Nottingham Flow Cytometry Facility this course is designed to provide a foundation knowledge in flow cytometric analysis. Organised into two back-to-back small group sessions: the first half will focus on theoretical background, common applications and cell sorting; while the second sessions will cover experimental design and compensation. The course will be delivered in interactive small group sessions with time to address specific applications appropriate to the student group.
 
Session 1

• What is flow cytometry and how does it work?
• Applications of flow cytometry in Biomedical Research.
• What is cell sorting and how does it work?
• How can I access flow cytometry technology and support at the University of Nottingham?

Session 2

• Reagents for flow cytometry: Antibodies and Fluorochromes.
• Basic design of flow cytometry experiment.
• Colours that overlap and compensate.
• Information on further reading and links software and useful websites.

Mapping to the Researcher Development Framework

A1 Knowledge base 

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the basic concept of how cells are analysed using flow cytometry.
• Identify commonly used application(s) of flow cytometry in the student’s research field. Understanding the concept of cells sorting.
• Ability to interpret basic flow cytometry data in scientific literature.
• Know how to access the Faculty Flow Cytometry Facility for further information, bookings, training and support.
• Be aware of the range of fluorescent labels available and commonly used reagents.
• Be able to design  basic flow cytometry experiments, with awareness of controls appropriate to common applications
• Understand compensation.
• Have details of helpful reference material.

Course Accessibility

The following table shows a summary of what is needed to participate in the course. 

If you feel you will experience any difficulties participating, please let us know via the ‘special requirements’ tab, providing as much information as possible. The special requirements tab can be completed when you book your place. Alternatively, you can contact us directly at ra-training@nottingham.ac.uk.

Print off pre-requisite paperwork/ resources & bring them to the course (optional)
Bring your own laptop/ PC to the course (optional)
Access seminar room on campus
Attend the course at the specified date and time
Watch and listen to the course tutor(s) and/or other attendees
Follow presentation slides during the course

Booking Conditions

Latecomer policy

Researchers should plan to arrive prior to the advertised course start time. Except for exceptional reasons, there will be no admittance to a Researcher Academy or Faculty Training Programme (FTP) course 15 minutes after the advertised course start time.

Importance of booking commitment

When booking on to a Researcher Academy short course you are entering into a commitment to attend. If you find that you are no longer available to attend you MUST cancel your place (on the system if more than three days before the course) or if at short notice by emailing bb-ra-traning@nottingham.ac.uk. This will ensure that your place can be offered to another researcher on the waiting list. Failure to cancel a place results in other researchers missing out on places through the waiting list process.

It is unacceptable for researchers to just not attend when booked onto a course. The Researcher Academy maintains records of those who repeatedly do not attend courses they have booked. This may affect future eligibility to book onto further Researcher Academy courses and will affect considerations for Researcher Academy funded opportunities.