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Flow cytometry

Flow cytometry is a laser-based technology which is becoming increasingly popular in plankton ecology as it enables automated counting of individual cells, which can be distinguished based on their specific scatter and fluorescence signatures. Flow cytometers consist of a fluidic system where the water sample containing the cells is jacketed by a fast moving fluid in such a way that the cells pass a laser one by one. Light scatter and fluorescence emitted by the cells is recorded in the detector unit and subsequently processed to characterize the cells.
The research unit Biological Oceanography operates an Accuri C6 (BD Biosciences), a Cytosense (Cytobuoy) and two BD FACSCalibur flow cytometer. Both are bench top machines, ideally suited for fieldwork. The Accuri C6 is used primarily to count smaller autotrophs, bacteria, and viruses since the machine has extremely sensitive detectors. The Cytosense is used for larger organisms as it can handle larger volumes. It also takes photographs of individual plankton organisms which greatly facilitates characterization of the counted cells.

Contact: Mathias Hausnost, Jana Meyer, Tania Klüver

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Examples for detection signals from two analysed ciliates and diatom cells in a chain deriving from a seawater sample.

RD2
Marine Biogeochemistry

  • Head of the Research Division Biological Oceanography (FB2-BI)

    Prof. Dr. Anja Engel
    GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel
    Seefischmarkt / building 5, room 5-2.116
    Wischhofstr. 1 - 3, 24148 Kiel
    Phone:++49/( 0)431 600-1510
    email: aengel(at)geomar.de

    Administrative Assistant/Department Office FB2-BI
    Silvana Gagliardi, room 5-2.310
    Phone: ++49 (0)431 600-4445
    Telefax: 0431 600-134445
    email: bi-sekr(at)geomar.de

    W Mikrobielle Biogeochemie (FB2-BI/MB)

    Prof. Dr. Anja Engel
    GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel
    Seefischmarkt / Gebäude 5, Raum 5-2.116
    Wischhofstraße 1 - 3, 24148 Kiel
    Telefon: 0431 600-1510
    E-Mail: aengel(at)geomar.de

    Assistenz/Geschäftszimmer FB2-BI/MB
    Monika Peschke, Raum 5-2.310
    Telefon: 0431 600-4447
    E-Mail: mpeschke(at)geomar.de

    Arbeitsgruppe Biogeochemische Prozesse (FB2-BI/BP)

    Prof. Dr. Ulf Riebesell
    GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozenforschung Kiel
    Seefischmarkt / Gebäude 5, Raum 5-2.313
    Wischhofstraße 1 - 3, 24148 Kiel
    Telefon: 0431 600-4444
    E-Mail: uriebesell(at)geomar.de

    Assistenz/Geschäftszimmer FB2-BI/BP
    Silvana Gagliardi, Raum 5-2.310
    Telefon: 0431 600-4445
    Telefax: 0431 600-134445
    E-Mail: sgagliardi(at)geomar.de

    Arbeitsgruppe Plankton, Biogeochemie und Dynamik (FB2-BI/PBD)

    Prof. Dr. Rainer Kiko
    GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozenforschung Kiel
    Seefischmarkt / Gebäude 5, Raum 5-4.105
    Wischhofstraße 1 - 3, 24148 Kiel
    Telefon: 0431 600-1751
    E-Mail: rkiko(at)geomar.de

    Assistenz/Geschäftszimmer FB2-BI/PBD
    Silvana Gagliardi, Raum 5-2.310
    Telefon: 0431 600-4445
    Telefax: 0431 600-134445
    E-Mail: sgagliardi(at)geomar.de

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