# ShEEP Request for a Cytek Aurora Spectral Analyzer

> **NIH VA IS1** · VETERANS ADMIN PALO ALTO HEALTH CARE SYS · 2022 · —

## Abstract

We request funds for the purchase of a Cytek Aurora Spectral Analyzer flow cytometer to replace our Becton
Dickinson (BD) LSRII cell analyzer currently housed in the flow cytometry core facility at VA Palo Alto. BD has
chosen to end service and repair for the LSRII cell analyzer as of September 2020. The LSRII remains a
workhorse instrument for users of the flow cytometry core and finding a replacement is critical. The Cytek
comes equipped with five lasers
(355nm, 405nm, 488nm, 561nm, and 640nm), three scatter channel detectors, and 64 fluorescence channel
detectors spanning the light spectral range of 365nm to 829nm. Ultimately, the Cytek Aurora is capable of
assaying well over 30 different parameters per cell.
Aurora Spectral Analyzer will prove an excellent replacement. This instrument
The Cytek Aurora will upgrade our current assaying abilities in the Palo Alto VA flow cytometry core. Currently
we are limited to experiments measuring up to 18 targeted parameters per cell. The Cytek Aurora will enable
VA researchers to use a wide array of new fluorochrome combinations expanding their ability to perform
multiparametric applications. This instrument is equipped with a state of the art, Coarse Wavelength Division
Multiplexing (CWDM) semiconductor detector array providing increased sensitivity and resolution within and
between fluorochromes. This profiling allows researchers to use fluorescence combinations previously thought
incompatible using traditional flow cytometers by tracking and differentiating subtle differences in fluorescence
spectral emissions. Data collected in flow cytometry experiments is no longer limited to small fractions of light
measured through optical filters. The Cytek Aurora looks at all light emitted by cellular markers. The Cytek
Aurora can enable sampling from either tubes or multi-well plates each in a temperature controlled
environment (between 4-30oC) and may be run in a low (15mL to 60mL per min) or high throughput manner
(>100mL per min). The instrument comes linked to a PC computer equipped with an easy to learn data
acquisition software designed with an automated QC program, pre-existing experimental templates and an
application for the fluorescence emissions unmixing necessary for data analysis. We expect data collection by
means of spectrum emissions analysis to be the new gold standard for flow cytometry.
The Cytek Aurora will support the research endeavors of the entire VAPAHCS community. It will be housed in
the VA flow cytometry core on the Palo Alto VA campus. This core supports 125 users from twenty-two
research groups on campus. Highlighted in this application are projects from ten principal investigators from
within these twenty-two groups: seven Major Users and three Minor Users. These Users have expertise in a
variety of scientific disciplines aimed at assisting our United States Veterans and active members of our
military. These disciplines focus on such subjects as the immunological implications of ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10178560
- **Project number:** 1IS1BX005558-01
- **Recipient organization:** VETERANS ADMIN PALO ALTO HEALTH CARE SYS
- **Principal Investigator:** EUGENE C BUTCHER
- **Activity code:** IS1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-10-01 → 2022-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10178560

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10178560, ShEEP Request for a Cytek Aurora Spectral Analyzer (1IS1BX005558-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10178560. Licensed CC0.

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