Cell Sorter for Biological Sciences

Biological Sciences have a requirement for a cell sorter, an instrument with the capability to separate and sort a mixed population of biological cells into different fractions for analysis or ongoing growth in separate cultures. Once sorted, cells must be kept sterile and uncontaminated, the cell sorter will have the capability of sorting populations into a multi-well plate format inside an integral biological safety cabinet.

This requirement includes training for University staff and ongoing technical and experimental support. This procurement builds on a pressing need for a system capable of spectral high-performance, multi-parameter fluorescence-activated cell/nucleus sorting that will serve a cross-disciplinary consortium of research groups in life sciences at the University of Southampton and external academic and industrial collaborators within the South of England, investigating the mechanisms underpinning human health and aging, and food and environmental sustainability.

The system will integrate significant advancements in cell and nuclear sorting, allowing the highest power, performance, and flexibility, enabling researchers across diverse disciplines in biological and computational sciences and bioengineering, with the highest relevance to those interested in temporal and spatial changes in cell states within tissues and microbial and environmental systems and how this defines their heterogeneities, functional relationships, and interaction with their environment. The advanced multi-parameter sorter will act as a hub that catalyses new cross-disciplinary collaborations between its diverse user base, from basic biology to ioengineering and biotechnology.

This will be facilitated through established regional partnerships with the BBSRC National Biofilm and Innovation Centre (NBIC) and South Coast Biosciences Doctoral Partnership (SoCoBio DTP). The University proposes to enter into a Contract for 39 months with the successful tenderer(s).

This will comprise of an initial contract period of 39 months for the provision of the cell sorter including a 12 month warranty with a 36 month support and maintenance (to run concurrently) subject to the satisfactory performance and at the discretion of the University. The contract will be effective on signing. The initial term of the warranty of 12 months will run from the date of acceptance of the equipment.