iCORE Flow Cytometry

 

We provide high‑resolution, multi‑parameter flow cytometry analysis and expert‑assisted cell sorting to accelerate discovery across basic, translational, and clinical research.

The iCORE Flow Cytometry Cluster consolidates established capabilities from the A*STAR Infectious Diseases Laboratory (A*IDL), Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB). The SIgN Flow Cytometry Platform is an ISO 9001:2015‑certified, open‑access shared resource, supporting researchers from A*STAR institutes, public hospitals, academic institutions, and industry partners. As of 1 April 2026, the former IMCB Flow Cytometry Core and A*IDL Pathogen Flow Platform have been integrated into iCORE. The cluster continued to expand its technology portfolio and expertise, becoming a key pillar of the research ecosystem.

Users may independently access a wide range of advanced flow cytometry analyzers, while all cell sorting services are performed by highly trained specialist operators to ensure optimal purity, viability, and data quality. Our diverse fleet of conventional and spectral instruments supports deep immunophenotyping, small‑particle detection, and cell sorting for both mammalian and non‑mammalian systems.

 

Key Services

  • High Parameter Cell Analysis
    Conventional and spectral flow cytometry using 5 laser instruments for broad population screening or deep, high dimensional phenotyping.
  • Expert Assisted Cell Sorting
    High purity population and single cell sorting for mammalian samples, with dedicated instruments optimized for yeast and bacterial applications.
  • Small Particle Detection & Sorting
    Specialized workflows for extracellular vesicles, micro vesicles, exosomes, and microplastics, leveraging high sensitivity detectors and spectral unmixing.
  • Strategic Consultation & Experiment Planning
    End to end support covering experimental design, control strategy, fluorochrome selection, compensation, spectral unmixing, and workflow integration.
  • Advanced Panel Design & Data Analysis Support
    Assistance with high color panel development (20+ parameters), troubleshooting complex datasets, and transforming raw acquisition into publication ready results, including integration with the SIgN Immunomonitoring Platform (IMP)

Key Applications

  • Deep Immunophenotyping
    Comprehensive profiling of complex immune subsets, activation states, and functional markers within a single sample.
  • Cellular Function & Dynamics
    Cell cycle analysis, ploidy assessment, apoptosis detection, proliferation tracking, and functional fluorescent-based assays.
  • Small Particle & EV Research
    Resolution and characterization of sub-micron particles including extracellular vesicles and exosomes.
  • Functional & Signaling Assays
    Calcium flux, intracellular cytokine staining, phosphoprotein analysis, and transcription factor detection.
  • Genetic Engineering & Screening
    Viral transduction assessment, CRISPR screening workflows, single-cell deposition, and clonal cell line generation.
  • Non-Mammalian Research
    Yeast and bacterial analysis and sorting for enrichment, purification, and downstream functional studies.
  • Drug Discovery & Translational Research
    High-throughput phenotyping and sorting to support screening pipelines and disease-focused research, including cancer and infectious diseases.

Key Equipment

Analyzers

  • FACSymphony A3 (BD Biosciences) – 5 lasers; high-sensitivity multicolor analysis
  • FACSymphony A5 (BD Biosciences) – 5 lasers; conventional and spectral capability
  • Cytek Aurora – 5 lasers; full-spectrum profiling with autofluorescence subtraction
  • CytoFLEX LX (Beckman Coulter) – 5 lasers; optimized for small-particle detection
  • Novocyte Penteon (Agilent) – 5 lasers; multi-tube and multi-well plate analysis
  • FACSCelesta (BD Biosciences) – 3 lasers; routine multicolor applications
  • Fortessa X-20 – 4 lasers; standard phenotyping and cell cycle assays

Sorters

  • FACSymphony S6 (BD Biosciences) – 5 lasers; spectral sorting with single-cell deposition
  • FACSAria Fusion (BD Biosciences) – 4–5 lasers; high-purity sorting
  • FACSAria Fusion with BSC Hood – enhanced biosafety workflows
  • Invitrogen Bigfoot (Thermo Fisher Scientific) – 5 lasers; conventional and spectral sorting
  • FACSAria III (BD Biosciences) – 3 lasers; dedicated yeast and bacterial sorting

Accreditations

From SIgN Flow Cytometry Facility

  • ISO 9001:2015 Certified Facility
  • ISAC Shared Resource Laboratory Emerging Leader 2025 – Dr. Hwang You Yi Leon
  • ASCP Board of Certification – Specialist in Cytometry (SCYM) – Ms. Ivy Low

Our People

The iCORE Flow Cytometry Cluster is powered by a team of highly experienced flow cytometry experts, bringing together deep technical knowledge and strong service orientation to support the research community.

Drawing on the established expertise from SIgN Flow Cytometry and strengthened by dedicated iCORE flow specialists, the team works closely with researchers across basic, translational, and clinical research. With extensive experience in experimental design, multi‑parameter panel development, and data interpretation, our experts provide practical guidance to help users achieve robust, high‑quality results.

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SIgN Flow Cytometry Platform team members:

  • Platform Lead: Hwang You Yi Leon
  • Platform Manager: Ivy Low (ASCP Board-Certified Specialist in Cytometry, SCYM)
  • Scientific & Technical Team: Salanne Lee, Andrew Chan, Chin Hui Xian

iCORE Flow Cytometry team members:

  • iCORE Flow Platform: Daniel Anand Silva
  • Pathogen Flow Platform: Chang Zi Wei and Brenda Aw

 

Contact us to learn more about our platforms, services and how our team can support your research needs.