Activity Number 296

	Overview and Learning Objectives
	Central Concepts
	Activity Credits
	Requirements

FACS (Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting)

Interactive, scaffolded model

Go To Activity

Follow the link above to start or download this activity.

This Activity Requires:

Java 1.5+ - Java 1.5+ is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X 10.4 and greater. If you are using Mac OS X 10.3, you can download MW Version 1.3 and explore within it instead.

Test your system to see if it meets the requirements

Important! If you cannot launch anything from this database, please follow the step-by-step instructions on the software page.

Please Note: Many models are linked to directly from within the database. When an activity employs our scripting language, Pedagogica, as do some of the "guided" activities, the initial download may take several minutes. Subsequent activities will not take a long time. See this page for further instructions.

	Overview and Learning Objectives Students learn about the many ways cell sorting is useful in science research, and are introduced to the role of molecular tagging in the FACS procedure. They explore three functions of the machine, and then move to working with models. Students will understand the basic components of the FACS cell sorting procedure and the science underneath it (fluorescence and separation by charge). Students will be able to: • make a cell fluoresce; • tag an antibody with a fluorescent marker; • manipulate cell placement through changing the charge on two plates; • connect key stages of a FACS machine. return to top



	Central Concepts Key Concept: The FACS procedure combines basic science ideas: that some molecules fluoresce, that other molecules selectively bind to molecules within cells, and that electric fields can deflect charged particles. Additional Related Concepts return to top



	Activity Credits using Molecular Workbench return to top



	Requirements Java 1.5+ - Java 1.5+ is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X 10.4 and greater. If you are using Mac OS X 10.3, you can download MW Version 1.3 and explore within it instead. return to top

These materials are based upon work supported by the
National Science Foundation under grant number DUE-0402553

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions
or recommendations expressed in this material are those of
the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views
of the National Science Foundation.

FACS (Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting)

Overview and Learning Objectives

Central Concepts

Additional Related Concepts

Activity Credits

Requirements