Hyperion - Flow Cytometry Core Facility

The Hyperion Tissue Imaging unit allows for high dimensional analysis of tissue sections by mass cytometry. Tissue is analysed directly from the slide; preserving spatial relationships and eliminating the need to disassociate into single cell suspensions.

Imaging is achieved through laser ablation of sections stained with isotope-labelled antibodies and probes. Clouds of these rare earth metals are analysed by time of flight (TOF) cytometry and digitally reconstructed for in-depth image analysis.

Simultaneous detection of over 40 cellular markers throughout tissue sections.  These include phenotypic antigens, structural markers, transcription factors and cytokines.

Lessened spill over compared to fluorescent imaging approaches.

Analysis of FFPE or Fixed-Frozen tissue sections.

Multi-dimensional image and singe cell analysis through cell-segmentation including neighbourhood analysis.

It is essential to contact us in the early planning stages of imaging mass cytometry experiments. We offer advice on antibody panel design, sample preparation and conjugating antibodies  if they are not commercially available. 

You will work with the core staff to identify regions of interest (ROI) for ablation. Core staff will then ablate the ROI and export the data (MCD files) for your independent analysis or in conjunction with a bioinformatician. Please book using our usual booking resource.

Please contact us in the planning stages of all IMC experiments.

Pre-validation of antibody clones is essential to ensure they work on tissue sections. Immunofluorescence without secondary amplification is most comparable to intensities observed with imaging mass cytometry.

Sections should be between 4-12 micron thickness, mounted on normal glass slides (approximately 7.5 x 2.5cm) and should not have a coverslip. Please contact us for guidance on the ablatable area of a slide.

Multiple tissue sections per slide increases the throughput of a project.

We recommend regions of interests not to exceed 1mm²_, however multiple ROI per section is possible. It takes around 3h to ablate 1mm²_.

Control tissue sections are strongly advised.

Costs are determined by the duration of time for which the instrument is required. Up to date rates are found on our Rates page