Sartorius iQue® 3 High-Throughput Flow Cytometry Platform
| Brand | Sartorius |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Product Category | Imported Instrument |
| Model | iQue® 3 |
| Product Type | High-Throughput Flow Cytometer |
| Application | Research Use Only |
Overview
The Sartorius iQue® 3 High-Throughput Flow Cytometry Platform is an integrated hardware-software-reagent system engineered for multiparametric, plate-based cytometric analysis in life science research. Unlike conventional flow cytometers requiring tube-based sample handling and manual gating workflows, the iQue® 3 employs microplate-compatible hydrodynamic focusing and laser-based fluorescence detection to perform simultaneous immunophenotyping, viability assessment, and secreted cytokine quantification—directly from individual wells of 96- or 384-well plates. Its core optical architecture integrates up to three solid-state lasers (e.g., 405 nm, 488 nm, 640 nm) with 13 photomultiplier tube (PMT)-based emission channels, enabling high-content, homogeneous assay formats without centrifugation or washing steps. Designed for reproducible, low-volume operation, the platform delivers statistically robust single-cell data from as little as 2–5 µL of sample per well—making it especially suitable for precious primary immune cell populations, limited clinical isolates, or early-stage bioprocess samples.
Key Features
- High-throughput plate acquisition: Complete analysis of a 96-well plate in ≤5 minutes; full 384-well plate in ≤20 minutes.
- Minimal sample consumption: Optimized fluidics and patented sampling technology reduce required volume to 2–5 µL per well.
- Integrated optical configuration: Three-laser excitation (405/488/640 nm) with 13-color fluorescence detection and scatter (FSC/SSC) capability.
- Automated system maintenance: On-board calibration, detector cleaning, QC verification, and shutdown routines ensure consistent daily performance.
- Intelligent reagent management: Smart wash station with real-time reagent level monitoring and usage logging.
- No optical alignment required across users: Factory-optimized optical path ensures inter-user data comparability and method transferability.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The iQue® 3 supports suspension cells (human PBMCs, murine splenocytes, hybridomas), functionalized microspheres (e.g., Luminex-compatible beads), and secreted analytes captured via proximity-based immunoassays (e.g., bead-based cytokine arrays). All assays are performed in standard ANSI/SLAS-compliant microplates under ambient laboratory conditions. The platform complies with ISO 13485 design controls for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) development support and meets essential requirements for GLP-aligned workflows—including audit-trail-enabled software (iQue® ForeCyt® Software v5.x), electronic signature support, and 21 CFR Part 11–ready configuration options. While intended for research use only (RUO), its data structure and metadata capture align with FAIR principles and facilitate downstream integration into LIMS or ELN environments.
Software & Data Management
ForeCyt® Software serves as the unified acquisition, analysis, and visualization engine for the iQue® 3. It features guided workflow creation—from plate layout definition and gate setup to metric derivation and report generation. Real-time plate-level feedback allows dynamic adjustment of population gates with immediate propagation across all wells, accelerating assay optimization. Hierarchical data navigation enables drill-down from experiment → plate → well → cell event level, supporting both population statistics (e.g., % CD4+ IFNγ+, MFI ratios) and single-cell event export (FCS 3.1 format). Data export options include CSV, PDF, and structured JSON for API-driven integration. All user actions—including parameter changes, gate edits, and report exports—are time-stamped and logged with operator ID for traceability.
Applications
- Antibody Discovery & Development: Parallel evaluation of binding affinity (via labeled antigen), effector function (ADCC, CDC), and titer in transient transfection supernatants—reducing clone selection timelines by >50%.
- Cell Therapy Characterization: Multiplexed assessment of CAR-T or NK cell cytotoxicity (CFSE/7-AAD), activation markers (CD25, CD69), and cytokine secretion (IFNγ, IL-2, TNFα) from same-well assays.
- Immunopharmacology Screening: Phenotypic profiling of primary human immune cells exposed to small molecules or biologics—capturing shifts in Treg/Th17 balance, macrophage polarization, or checkpoint receptor expression.
- Functional Genomics: CRISPR/Cas9 or siRNA-mediated target validation using intracellular phospho-protein readouts combined with surface marker phenotyping in pooled or arrayed formats.
FAQ
What sample formats are supported?
The iQue® 3 accepts standard flat-bottom or U-bottom 96-well and 384-well polystyrene or tissue-culture-treated microplates. No tube-to-plate transfer is required.
Can the system be integrated with robotic liquid handlers?
Yes—optional robotic interface kits enable seamless integration with major OEM platforms (e.g., Tecan, Hamilton) for unattended walk-away operation.
Is the instrument compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11?
The iQue® 3 can be configured with Part 11–compliant settings including role-based access control, electronic signatures, and immutable audit trails—subject to site-specific validation protocols.
What reagents are required for operation?
Sartorius provides validated, ready-to-use assay kits (e.g., QuantiBRITE™, SureCount™, Secretion Assay Kits); third-party antibodies and dyes compatible with the specified laser/excitation bands may also be used.
Does the system support kinetic measurements?
While primarily designed for endpoint analysis, time-course experiments can be conducted by sequential plate loading and synchronized acquisition—supported by plate barcode tracking and temporal metadata tagging in ForeCyt® Software.
