Beckman Coulter CytoFLEX SRT Flow Cytometer

The Beckman Coulter CytoFLEX SRT Flow Cytometer represents a transformative leap in cell sorting technology, engineered to bring high-performance, multi-parameter sorting capabilities into a compact, benchtop format that redefines accessibility for research laboratories. Unlike traditional large-scale sorters that demand dedicated facilities, complex installation, and specialist operators, the CytoFLEX SRT encapsulates powerful sorting functionality within a streamlined design, enabling routine use by a broader range of researchers, including those in academic, biotechnology, and clinical research settings. At its core, the system leverages the proven optical architecture of the CytoFLEX analyzer series, featuring a fixed, alignment-free optical path with avalanche photodiode (APD) detectors that deliver exceptional sensitivity and stability across a broad dynamic range. The instrument is configurable with up to four lasers—commonly 405 nm violet, 488 nm blue, 561 nm yellow-green, and 638 nm red—and up to 15 fluorescence detection channels, allowing for intricate multi-color immunophenotyping and the resolution of subtle phenotypic differences between cell populations. This high-parameter capability, combined with advanced light scatter detection including VSSC (Violet Side Scatter) for improved resolution of small particles such as exosomes, bacteria, or nuclei, makes the SRT a versatile tool for applications ranging from standard immune cell isolation to cutting-edge single-cell genomics and cell line development workflows.

A defining strength of the CytoFLEX SRT lies in its intelligent automation and user-centric design, which dramatically simplifies the operational complexity traditionally associated with cell sorting. The system introduces fully automated sort setup and fluidics management, most notably through features like automatic droplet delay calibration, which utilizes integrated imaging to determine optimal timing without user intervention, and automated stream setup and maintenance that establish, monitor, and correct fluidic conditions to ensure consistent droplet formation and deflection. This automation reduces the setup time from instrument startup to sample sorting to approximately 30 minutes, minimizing the learning curve and allowing even less experienced users to achieve reliable, high-purity sorts. The CytExpert SRT software provides an intuitive, workflow-guided interface familiar to users of the CytoFLEX analysis platform, supporting complex sorting logics such as four-way sorting, mixed-mode sorting, and the unique ability to capture cells normally discarded in other streams, thereby maximizing the recovery of rare or precious populations. Additionally, the instrument operates at a low sheath fluid pressure of 15 PSI, which contributes to higher cell viability post-sort compared to higher-pressure systems, a critical factor for sensitive downstream applications like cell culture, functional assays, or single-cell RNA sequencing. The inclusion of the Cyclone single-cell dispensing system further extends its utility to single-cell cloning and indexing sorting into 96- or 384-well plates with high precision.

Beyond its technical performance, the CytoFLEX SRT is designed with practical laboratory integration and safety in mind, offering a flexible and scalable solution that grows with research needs. Its compact footprint conserves valuable bench space, while its modular design allows for field upgrades to add lasers and detection channels as experimental demands evolve, protecting the initial investment. For laboratories working with potentially biohazardous samples, the system can be integrated with an optional Aerosol Management Unit (AMU) or placed within a biosafety cabinet to ensure operator safety and environmental containment. The instrument supports a wide array of collection vessels, including 12x75 mm tubes, 15 mL conical tubes, microcentrifuge tubes, and various microplates (96-well, 384-well, deep-well), as well as glass slides for cytological preparation, accommodating diverse experimental protocols. Furthermore, BeckmanConnect remote support enables direct access to technical experts for real-time troubleshooting and guidance, reducing instrument downtime. Whether employed for isolating rare circulating tumor cells, purifying CAR-T cell products, generating single-cell clones for monoclonal antibody development, or preparing high-quality samples for next-generation sequencing, the CytoFLEX SRT delivers a compelling combination of analytical rigor, sorting precision, operational simplicity, and reliability, empowering researchers to focus on scientific discovery rather than instrumentation challenges.