Sony SA3800 – Spectral accuracy for your cytometry analyses
The Sony SA3800 is a spectral flow cytometry system that combines optical precision, automation and versatility to meet the needs of life science research laboratories. Thanks to its ability to collect and analyse the entire light spectrum emitted by fluorochromes, it enables finer signal separation and better visualisation of rare cell populations, while reducing the impact of autofluorescence.
The technological heart of the SA3800 is based on a light collection system using consecutive prisms, combined with a 32-channel photomultiplier array and a set of microlenses that optimise photon capture. This design ensures high sensitivity and accurate detection, even for weak signals. Unlike conventional cytometers that use colour compensation and lose part of the signal, the SA3800 uses spectral unmixing, mathematically separating the spectra to restore the purity of each fluorophore.
The instrument is compatible with up to four lasers (405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm, 638 nm), enabling the simultaneous detection of multiple fluorescent markers. This configuration offers researchers maximum flexibility in designing and executing complex multicolour panels, while ensuring exemplary reproducibility thanks to a global standardisation mode that automatically aligns the instrument parameters with master specifications.
Another major advantage of the SA3800 is its innovative 3D AutoSampler. This system moves the sample plate in horizontal and vertical movements, avoiding the use of complex fluidics and limiting cross-contamination between samples. It also features an adjustable mixing function, ensuring sample homogeneity and stable coefficients of variation during acquisitions. A passive cooling system maintains samples at a controlled temperature, preserving their integrity during prolonged analyses.
The SA3800 is designed to simplify the entire workflow. From power-up to shutdown, each step is guided by intuitive software wizards. Automated Align Check and quality control (QC) ensure optimal operation before each session. Users can create, save and reuse custom spectral libraries, facilitating the rapid setup of new experiments. The FCS Express™-compatible software interface offers powerful visualisation and analysis tools, including spectral overlays, tSNE, SPADE and heat maps.
On the analytical side, the SA3800's spectral technology allows autofluorescence to be treated as a separate parameter. It can therefore be subtracted from the data, providing an accurate representation of cell populations and reducing false positives. This accuracy is particularly useful for studying rare populations, fluorescent proteins and fluorochromes excited by multiple lasers.
The SA3800 is a robust and ergonomic instrument designed for demanding research environments. Its modular design, low carryover rate (<0.1%) and automated cleaning capabilities ensure simplified maintenance and extended service life. Whether for complex immunophenotyping analyses, fundamental research or cell biology applications, the Sony SA3800 is a high-performance, reliable solution for cytometrists.
